SIR    WALTER    SCOTT   STUDIED   IN 
EIGHT   NOVELS 


SIR    WALTER   SCOTT 

STUDIED   IN 

EIGHT   NOVELS 


BY    THB 

HON.   ALBERT   S.    G.   CANNING 

tAuthor  of 

fcHISTO»Y    IN    SCOTT'S    NOVELS,"    '*  SHAKESPEARE    STUDIED 

IN   THREE    PLAYS,"    "BRITISH    WRITERS    ON 

CLASSIC    LANDS,"    ETC.,   ETC. 

•  »  . 


NEW   YORK 

WESSELS    &    BISSELL 

1910 


fs 


«  » 

:  •:  : 


{All  rights  reserved.) 


Prefatory  Note 


nr^HESE     Studies,    except     that    on     "The 
■**       Surgeon's   Daughter,"   which    is   new,   are 
here   revised    and    enlarged    in    the    hope    that 
they  may  be  useful  to  general  readers. 

A.   S.   G.   CANNING. 


/ 


iX 


Contents 


CHAP.  PAGE 

s    I.  GUY  MANNERING       .                  .  .                  .                  .II 

v  II.  THE  ANTIQUARY  35 

N    III.  THE  BLACK    DWARF                   .  .                  .                  -63 

'    IV.  THE  HEART    OF    MIDLOTHIAN      ...  79 

x    V.  THE  BRIDE    OF    LAMMERMOOR  .                  .                  .    I  If 

VI.  A    LEGEND   OF   MONTROSE 


143 

•    157 
203 
IX.        CONCLUDING    REMARKS  .  .  .  .271 


VII.       THE   PIRATE 
VIII.      THE   SURGEON'S    DAUGHTER 


"  Hold  the  mirror  up  to  Nature,  to  show  virtue 
her  own  feature,  scorn  her  own  image,  and  the  very 
age  and  body  of  the  time,  his  form  and  pressure." 
— Shakespeare. 

"The  proper  study  of  mankind  is  man." 

Pope's  Essay  on  Man. 

"  It  is  heaven  upon  earth  to  have  a  man's  mind 
move  in  charity." — Bacon's  Essay  on  Truth. 


GUY    MANNERING 


: 


SIR    WALTER    SCOTT    STUDIED 
IN    EIGHT    NOVELS 


CHAPTER    I 

GUY  MANNERING 

r  I  >HIS  most  interesting  story,  unlike  its 
-*-  predecessor,  "  Waverley,"  has  nothing  to 
do  with  religious  or  political  history.  Its 
main  interest  depends  on  fictitious  characters 
and  incidents,  some  of  which,  according  to 
Scott's  notes  and  references,  have  a  slight 
foundation  in  fact.  Although  there  are  two 
heroes  and  two  heroines,  none  of  them  are 
very  interesting  or  attractive.  Thus  Henry 
Bertram,  the  chief  hero,  placed  in  a  most 
romantic  situation,  and  both  amiable  and  in- 
telligent,   is    by    no    means    a   very    remarkable 

13 


14  Sir  Walter  Scott   Studied 

or  interesting  personage.  The  other,  Charles 
Hazlewood,  is  still  less  so,  and  very  seldom 
mentioned.  Julia  Mannering,  although  clever 
and  sprightly  in  her  letters,  takes  little  part  in 
the  story,  while  Lucy  Bertram,  like  her  lover 
Hazlewood,   is  seldom  introduced. 

The  chief  interest  of  the  book  depends  on 
the  sayings  and  doings  of  the  four  original 
and  remarkable  characters,  Meg  Merrilies  the 
gipsy,  Dominie  Sampson  the  tutor,  Dirk 
Hatteraick  the  Dutch  smuggler,  and  Dandie 
Dinmont,  the  Liddesdale  farmer  whose  cele- 
brated terrier  dogs  are  still  represented  by 
favoured  descendants.  These  are  all  master- 
pieces in  their  different  ways,  perfectly  con- 
sistent and  natural  throughout.1 

The  gipsy,  Meg  Merrilies,  though  treated 
and     viewed     with     contempt,     harshness,    and 

1  Scott  himself  tells  us  that  he  took  more 
interest  in  his  mercenaries  and  moss-troopers,  out- 
laws, gipsies,  and  beggars,  than  he  did  in  the  fine 
ladies  and  gentlemen  under  a  cloud  whom  he 
adopted  as  heroines  and  heroes. — Hutton  on  Scott, 
chap.  xi. 


Guy  Mannering  15 

suspicion,  to  which  her  unfortunate,  degraded, 
and  scattered  race  has  always  been  exposed, 
even  in  Christian  lands,  conceives  and  pre- 
serves a  most  extraordinary  attachment  to  the 
Bertram  family,  from  whom,  indeed,  she  never 
received  much  personal  benefit,  but  on  whose 
lands  she  and  some  of  her  tribe  were  for  a 
time  allowed  to  live  in  peace.  Her  intense 
devotion  to  the  Bertrams,  though  natural  in 
an  old  servant  or  tenant,  seems  rather  unlikely 
in  Meg's  situation  ;  for  gipsies  have  rarely 
been  in  a  position  to  show  any  feeling  of  the 
sort ;  but  Scott  has  taken  her  character  from 
a  certain  Jean  Gordon,  whom  he  mentions  in 
notes,  yet  who  was  placed  in  a  very  different 
situation  from  Meg  Merrilies.  Scott's  object 
probably  was  to  show  in  this  woman,  though 
living  among  desperate  associates,  and  if  not  a 
thief  herself,  certainly  the  associate  of  thieves 
and  vagabonds,  despised  and  ill-used  by  every 
one,  yet  a  person  capable  of  the  deepest 
gratitude  to  any  who  showed  her  the  least 
kindness.  Her  devotion  to  the  ruined  Bert- 
rams,   and    her    efforts    to    restore    the    young 


1 6  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

heir  to  his  ancestral  rights,  cause  her  chief 
misfortunes,  sufferings,  and  death  ;  yet  she 
clings  to  her  purpose  with  indomitable  resolu- 
tion, and  her  exertions  are  successful  at  last, 
though  at  the  cost  of  her  life,  as  she  is  shot 
by  Dirk  Hatteraick,  once  the  ally  of  her  gipsy 
gang.  Her  ill-usage,  even  by  the  compara- 
tively respectable,  who  consider  her  a  dan- 
gerous vagrant,  and  by  her  own  associates,  who 
suspect  her  of  betraying  them,  are  alike  power- 
fully described,  exciting  the  reader's  interest  in 
Meg  Merrilies  to  the  highest  point.  Her  last 
words  when  hearing  the  cheers  of  the  Ellan- 
gowan  tenantry  greeting  the  young  heir,  whose 
rightful  restoration  had  been  both  the  object 
of  her  life  and  the  cause  of  her  death,  are 
perhaps  the  most  affecting  and  pathetic  in  the 
whole  of  this  novel : 


"  When  I  was  in  life  I  was  the  mad,  randy 
gipsy  that  had  been  scourged  and  banished,  that 
had  begged  from  door  to  door,  and  been  hounded 
like  a  stray  tike  from  parish  to  parish — wha  wad 
have    minded    het    tale  ?     But  now    I    am    a    dying 


Guy   Mannering  1 7 

woman,  and  my  words  will   not  fall    to  the  ground 
any  more  than  the  earth  will  cover  my  blood." 


Then,  hearing  the  exulting  shouts  of  the 
Ellangowan  tenantry,  she  utters  her  last  words  : 

"  Dinna  ye  hear,  dinna  ye  hear  ?  He's  owned, 
he's  owned  !     I  lived  but  for  this." l 

Dominie  Abel  Sampson,  the  eccentric,  worthy 
tutor  to  young  Bertram,  though  a  most 
amusing  oddity,  constantly  doing  foolish  things, 
awkward,  shy,  and  often  unconscious  of  all 
around  him,  is  yet  an  excellent,  and  in  some 
respects  even  a  noble  character. 

An  amusing  scene  occurs  between  the 
Dominie  and  the  old  gipsy  woman,  Meg 
Merrilies.2  She  tries  to  entrust  him  with  a 
message  to  Colonel  Mannering,  while  Sampson, 
distrusting  her,  and  tired  after  a  long  walk, 
refuses  to  hear  her,  till  Meg,  seeing  his 
fatigued  state,  gives  him  some  soup,  made  up, 
as  she  owns,  out  of  game,  &c,  caught  by  some 
of   her    gipsy    gang.     The    Dominie,  when    re- 

1  Chap.  lv.  2  Chap.  xlvi. 


1 8  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

freshed,  consents  to  take  her  message,  though 
every  now  and  then  abusing  her  in  scraps  of 
Latin,  of  which  luckily  she  knows  nothing.  She 
asks 

"  So  ye  hae  eat  nothing  a'  day  ? " 
"  Nothing,"  answered  the  Dominie. 

Then,  shocked  at  the  doubtful  character  of 
Meg,  adds  : 

"  Sceleratissima — that  is,  gudewife." 

"  So  ye  like  the  meat  ?  " 

"Yea,"  answered  the  Dominie,  "and  I  give  thee 
thanks  —  sceleratissima  —  which  means  —  Mrs.  Mar- 
garet." 

"  Now  ye  maun  take  a  dram  ! " 

"  I  will,"  quoth  Sampson,  "  conjuro  te  —  that  is, 
I  thank  you  heartily,"  for  he  thought  to  himself, 
in  for  a  penny  in  for  a  pound  ;  and  he  fairly  drank 
the  witch's  health  in  a  cupful  of  brandy.  When 
he  had  put  this  cope-stone  upon  Meg's  good  cheer, 
he  felt  as  he  said,  "  mightily  elevated  and  afraid  of  no 
evil  which  could  befall  him." 

When  Sampson  returns  to  Colonel  Manner- 
ing's   house,   he   is   met   by   the  worthy   house- 


Guy   Mannering  1 9 

keeper,    Mrs.    Allen,    who    exclaims,   remonstra- 
ting: 

M  What's  this  o't  now,  Mr.  Sampson,  this  is  waur 
than  ever  !  ye'll  really  do  yerself  an  injury  wi'  these 
lang  fasts — naething  sae  hurtful  to  the  stomach,  Mr. 
Sampson — if  ye  would  put  some  peppermint  drops 
in  your  pocket,  or  let   Barnes  cut  ye  a  sandwich." 

"Avoid  thee,"  quoth  the  Dominie,  his  mind  still 
running  on  his  interview  with  Meg  Merrilies,  and 
making  for  the  dining-parlour. 

"  Na,  ye  needna  gang  in  there — the  cloth's  been 
removed  an  hour  syne,  and  the  Colonel's  at  his 
wine  ;  but  just  step  into  my  room,  I  have  a  nice 
steak  that  the   cook  will  do  in  a  moment." 

"  Exorciso  te"  said  Sampson,  "that  is,  I  have  dined." 

"  Dined  !  it's  impossible — wha  can  ye  hae  dined 
wi',  you  that  gangs   out  nae  gate  ?  " 

"With   Beelzebub,   I   believe,"  said  the  minister. 

This  reply  of  the  bewildered  Dominie  is  too 
much  for  Mrs.  Allen,  who  evidently  disbelieves 
in  the  fiend's  hospitality. 

"Na,  then  he's  bewitched  for  certain,"  said  the 
housekeeper,  letting  go  her  hold  ;  "  he's  bewitched,  or 
he's  daft,  and  ony  way  the  Colonel  maun  just  guide 
him  his  ain  gate.  Wae's  me  !  Hech,  sirs  !  It's  a 
sair  thing  to  see  learning  bring  folk  to  this." 


20  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

Sampson's  absurdities  and  failures,  kind 
heart,  deep  gratitude,  and  utter  unselfishness, 
are  not  unlike  the  great  hero  of  Cervantes, 
and,  indeed,  the  expressions  of  Dr.  Johnson 
about  Don  Quixote  may  be  applied,  without 
impropriety,   to  Dominie  Sampson  also. 

"  However  Cervantes  embarrasses  Don  Quixote 
with  absurd  distresses,  he  gives  him  so  much  sense 
and  virtue  as  may  preserve  our  esteem,  wherever  he 
is,  or  whatever  he  does  ;  he  is  made  by  matchless 
dexterity  commonly  ridiculous  but  never  con- 
temptible."1 

Had  Dr.  Johnson  lived  to  read  and  enjoy 
"  Guy  Mannering,"  he  would  probably  have 
thought  that,  in  describing  the  Dominie,  Scott 
had  shown  a  "  dexterity"  equally  "  matchless  " 
to  the  celebrated  Spanish  writer.  In  fact,  the 
character  and  conduct  of  Dominie  Sampson 
are  usually  "  ridiculous "  both  in  words  and 
deeds,  but  "  never  contemptible "  in  either 
motive  or  spirit.  Scott  thus  sketches  part  of 
the  poor  Dominie's  early  career  : 

1  "  Lives  of  the  Poets"  :  "Life  of  Butler." 


Guy   Mannering  21 

In  progress  of  time  Abel  Sampson,  probationer 
of  divinity,  was  admitted  to  the  privileges  of  a 
preacher.  But  alas !  partly  from  his  own  bashful- 
ness,  partly  owing  to  a  strong  and  obvious  disposi- 
tion to  risibility  which  pervaded  the  congregation 
upon  his  first  attempt,  he  became  totally  incapable 
of  proceeding  in  his  intended  discourse,  gasped, 
grinned  hideously,  rolled  his  eyes  till  the  congrega- 
tion thought  them  flying  out  of  his  head,  shut  the 
Bible,  stumbled  down  the  pulpit  stairs,  trampling 
upon  the  old  women  who  generally  take  their 
station  there,  and  was  ever  after  designated  as  a 
stickit  minister. 

Scott  thus  describes  a  man  utterly  deficient 
in  those  qualities  of  sagacity,  prudence,  and 
commonsense  usually  essential  to  worldly  pros- 
perity, and  generally  so  requisite  to  obtain  the 
esteem  and  respect  of  others.  Sampson  is 
destitute  of  these  qualities,  and  yet  the  wisest 
man  of  honour  and  principle  who  ever  read  a 
book  cannot  study  his  character  without  some 
admiration  for  it,  and  of  which  he  would  own 
that  many  far  superior  to  the  poor  Dominie  in 
sense  and  shrewdness  were  quite  unworthy. 

An  affecting:  instance  of  the  Dominie's  good- 
ness    of    heart    is    when     his    patron's    orphan 


22  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

daughter,  Lucy  Bertram,  is  ruined  through  her 
father's  misfortunes,  and  when  her  lawyer,  Mr. 
MacMorlan,  is  paying  off  the  family  debts  l  ; 
Sampson  exclaims,  when  refusing  some  money 
offered  him  in  behalf  of  his  former  pupil,  now 
left  poor  and  almost  friendless  : 

"  I  that  have  ate  of  her  father's  loaf  and  drank  of 
his  cup  for  twenty  years  and  more — to  think  that  I 
am  going  to  leave  her  in  distress  and  dolour  !  No — 
Miss  Lucy,  you  need  never  think  it.  You  would 
not  consent  to  put  forth  your  father's  poor  dog, 
and  would  you  use  me  waur  than  a  messan  ?  No, 
Miss  Lucy,  while  I  live  I  will  not  separate  from  you. 
I'll  be  no  burden,  I  have  thought  how  to  prevent 
that.  But  as  Ruth  said  unto  Naomi,  '  Entreat  me 
not  to  leave  thee,  nor  to  depart  from  thee  ;  for 
whither  thou  goest,  I  will  go,  and  where  thou 
dwellest,  I  will  dwell ;  thy  people  shall  be  my 
people,  and  thy  God  shall  be  my  God.  Where 
thou  diest,  I  will  die,  and  there  will  I  be  buried. 
The  Lord  do  so  to  me,  and  more  also,  if  aught  but 
death  do  part  me  and  thee.'  "  During  this  speech, 
the  longest  Dominie  Sampson  was  ever  known  to 
utter,  the  affectionate  creature's  eyes  streamed  with 
tears,  and  neither  Lucy  nor  MacMorlan  could  refrain 

1  Chap.  xv. 


Guy  Mannering  23 

from    sympathising  with     this    unexpected    burst    of 
feeling  and  attachment. 


This  story  abounds  with  striking  scenes 
and  situations,  and  is  divided  into  two 
parts.  The  first  leaves  Mannering  a  young 
unmarried  man,  and  the  Laird  of  Ellangowan 
with  Dominie  Sampson,  his  companion,  alike 
mourning  for  the  death  of  Mrs.  Bertram,  who 
leaves  an  only  daughter,  and  describes  the 
strange  disappearance  of  the  young  heir,  sus- 
pected to  have  been  stolen  by  gipsies  and 
smugglers,  who  in  this  part  of  the  Scottish 
coast  were  in  league  to  defeat  or  evade  the 
laws.  The  old  Laird  Godfrey  Bertram  of 
Ellangowan  is  described  throughout  as  an  easy- 
going, not  very  wise,  but  kindly  country  squire, 
delighted  when  he  is  made  a  J. P.  He  ex- 
presses his  pleasure  in  such  an  absurd  way 
that  probably  Scott  may  have  heard  of  a 
similar  case,  as  he  would  hardly  have  invented  it. 
He  tells  his  humble,  trusty  companion,  Dominie 
Sampson,  to  read  aloud  his  new  commission, 
and  at  the  first  formal  words, 


24  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

"  The  King  has  been  pleased  to  appoint " — 
"  Pleased  ! "  he  exclaimed  in  a  transport  of  grati- 
tude,— "  honest  gentleman  !  I'm  sure  he  cannot  be 
better  pleased  than  I  am."  J 

The  good-natured  Laird  of  Ellangowan,  how- 
ever, is  induced  soon  after  his  obtaining  the 
Commission  of  the  Peace  to  commence  carrying 
out 

his  magisterial  reform  at  the  expense  of  various 
established  and  superannuated  pickers  and  stealers 
who  had  been  his  neighbours  for  half  a  century  .  .  . 
and  by  the  influence  of  the  beadle's  rod,  caused 
the  lame  to  walk,  the  blind  to  see  and  the  palsied 
to  labour.  He  detected  poachers,  black-fishers, 
orchard-breakers  and  pigeon-shooters ;  had  the  ap- 
plause of  the  bench  for  his  reward  and  the  public 
credit  of  an  active  magistrate. 

Scott  in  the  following  passage  shows,  as  he 
often  does,  that  spirit  of  thoughtful  humanity 
which  so  distinguished  both  his  character  and 
writings  : 

All  this  good  had  its  rateable  proportion  of  evil. 
Even  an  admitted  nuisance  of  ancient  standing 
should   not    be     abated    without    some  caution.  .  .  . 

1  Chap.  vi. 


Guy   Mannering  25 

The  long-remembered  beggar  who  for  twenty  years 
had  made  his  regular  rounds  within  the  neighbour- 
hood, received  rather  as  a  humble  friend  than  as 
an  object  of  charity,  was  sent  to  the  neighbouring 
workhouse.  The  decrepit  dame  who  travelled  round 
the  parish  upon  a  hand-barrow,  circulating  from 
house  to  house  like  a  bad  shilling  which  every  one 
is  in  haste  to  pass  to  his  neighbour;  she  who 
used  to  call  for  her  bearers  as  loud  or  louder 
than  a  traveller  demands  post-horses,  even  she 
shared  the  same  disastrous  fate.  The  "daft  Jock," 
who,  half  knave,  half  idiot,  had  been  the  sport  of 
each  succeeding  race  of  village  children  for  a  good 
part  of  a  century,  was  remitted  to  the  county 
bridewell,  where,  secluded  from  free  air  and  sun- 
shine, the  only  advantages  he  was  capable  of  en- 
joying, he  pined  and  died  in  the  course  of  six 
months. x 

The  description  of  the  despairing  father  and 
tutor,  vainly  seeking  their  lost  son  and  pupil,  is 
remarkably  affecting  and  natural.  So  far  the 
tale  seems  like  a  tragedy,  but  in  the  second 
part,  after  a  supposed  interval  of  seventeen 
years,  great  changes  have  taken   place. 

Mannering,  now  a  Colonel  and  a  widower, 
with    an    only    daughter,    returns    to     Scotland 

1  Chap.  vi. 


26  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

from  India.  He  arrives  in  time  to  witness  the 
poor  laird's  death  and  the  sale  of  his  estate, 
both  hastened,  if  not  caused,  by  the  knavery 
of  a  lawyer,  named  Glossin,  whom  he  had 
trusted  with  the  management  of  his  affairs. 
This  man  purchases  the  Ellangowan  property, 
and  the  unfortunate  laird  reproaches  him  just 
before  his  death  with  being  the  chief  cause  of 
his  ruin.  Mannering  generously  gives  a  home 
to  the  desolate  orphan,  Miss  Bertram,  with  his 
own  daughter,  Julia,  who  is  in  love  with  a 
certain  Lieutenant  Brown,  afterwards  proved 
to  be  the  young  heir  of  Ellangowan.  This 
young  man  follows  the  Mannerings  to  Scotland 
from  India.  He  remembers  a  little  of  his  past 
history,  and  fortunately  much  resembling  his 
late  father,  is  soon  recognised  by  Dominie 
Sampson,  who,  with  Miss  Bertram,  shares  Man- 
nering's  hospitality,  and  also  by  the  old  gipsy, 
Meg  Merrilies.  But  a  more  practical  and  useful 
friend  appears  in  the  shrewd,  honest  lawyer, 
Pleydell,  who  well  remembers  the  whole  story 
of  the  child's  disappearance,  and  has  the  worst 
opinion    of    Glossin,     whose    fortune    had    been 


Guy   Mannering  27 

chiefly  made  by  the  ruin  of  his  late  employer 
and  patron.  Young  Bertram,  therefore,  soon 
finds  himself  well  supported  by  judicious  as  well 
as  sincere  friends  in  recovering  his  patrimony, 
which  could  not  have  been  sold  had  his 
existence  been  known  for  certain.  Glossin, 
however,  is  apprised  by  the  outlawed  smuggler, 
Dirk  Hatteraick,  his  former  instrument  in  kid- 
napping the  young  heir,  of  Bertram's  return  to 
Scotland,  and  these  worthies  now  consult  how 
to  get  rid  of  their  young  victim,  while  the 
faithful  Meg  Merrilies  endeavours  to  thwart 
their  machinations  by  betraying  Hatteraick  to 
Bertram  and  Dinmont,  who  arrest  him  while 
lurkinor  in  a  cave.  This  scene  of  Hatteraick's 
arrest,  who  mortally  wounds  Meg  Merrilies 
before  his  capture,  is  remarkably  dramatic  and 
exciting ;  yet  notwithstanding  many  affecting 
incidents,  this  story  is  on  the  whole  a  very 
cheerful  one.  For  the  gloomy  scenes  of 
Glossin's  murder  by  Hatteraick  in  the  jail 
and  the  latter's  suicide  are  immediately  after 
varied  by  the  general  rejoicing  at  the  recovery 
of  the  Ellangowan  property  by  the  rightful  heir, 


28  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

the  joy  of  the  worthy  Dominie,  Pleydell,  and 
Dinmont,  and  the  final  happiness  of  all  the  most 
amiable  personages  in  the  book. 

The  confused  joy  of  the  faithful  Dominie, 
formerly  Bertram's  tutor,  is  amusingly  shown 
when,  after  seventeen  years'  absence,  the  boy 
he  remembers  is  now  a  tall  young  soldier  re- 
turned from  India  and  finally  recognised.  The 
Dominie,  like  some  other  forgetful,  dreamy 
people,  can  hardly  understand  the  flight  of  time 
with  its  inevitable  changes.  When  enumerating 
all  young  Bertram's  friends,  he  eagerly  exclaims, 
after  the  first  greetings  are  over  : 


"  There  is  the  great  Colonel  Mannering  from 
the  Eastern  Indies,  a  man  of  war  from  his  birth 
upwards,  but  who  is  not  the  less  a  man  of  great 
erudition,  considering  his  imperfect  opportunities  ; 
and  there  is  moreover  the  great  advocate,  Mr. 
Pleydell,  who  is  also  a  man  of  great  erudition,  but 
who  descendeth  to  trifles  unbeseeming  thereof ; 
and  there  is  Mr.  Andrew  Dinmont,  who  I  do  not 
understand  to  have  possession  of  much  erudition, 
but  who,  like  the  patriarchs  of  old,  is  cunning  in 
that  which  belongeth  to  flocks  and  herds.  Lastly 
there   is   even    I  myself,  whose   opportunities  of  col- 


Guy  Mannering  29 

lecting  erudition,  as  they  have  been  greater  than 
those  of  the  aforesaid  valuable  persons,  have  not,  if 
it  becomes  me  to  speak,  been  pretermitted  by  me 
in  so  far  as  my  poor  faculties  have  enabled  me 
to  profit  by  them.  Of  a  surety,  little  Harry,  we 
must  speedily  resume  our  studies.  I  will  begin 
from  the  foundation — yes,  I  will  reform  your  educa- 
tion upward  from  the  true  knowledge  of  English 
grammar,  even  to  that  of  the  Hebrew  or  Chaldaic 
tongue."  I 

In  this  warm  congratulation  the  Dominie 
aptly,  though  quaintly,  describes  the  chief  char- 
acters in  this  story.  Sampson  is  evidently  a 
great  favourite  of  Scott,  who  takes  apparently 
real  pleasure  in  making  him  finally  as  happy 
as  possible.  On  the  restoration  to  Bertram  of 
his  ancestral  estate  and  castle  at  Ellangfowan  a 
room  called  Mr.  Sampson's  apartment  is 
assigned  to  him  near  a  large  library.  On 
seeing  this  happy  arrangement  for  his  future 
comfort  and  joy,  Sampson  resorts  to  his  peculiar 
expression  when  astonished  or  delighted  : 

"  Prodigious,  prodigious,  pro-di-gious!  "  shouted  the 
enraptured  Dominie.2 

1  Chap.  li.  Chap,  lviii. 


30  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

The  two  characters  of  the  gallant  Colonel 
Guy  Mannering  and  the  shrewd,  honest  lawyer 
Pleydell,  are  ably  contrasted  with  the  bold 
ruffian  Hatteraick,  and  the  knavish  lawyer 
Glossin.  Thus,  when  the  two  last  named  are 
detected  and  brought  to  trial,  after  a  long 
course  of  successful  cunning,  Mannering  ex- 
presses sympathy  for  Hatteraick  and  Pleydell 
for  Glossin : 

"Yet,"  said  Pleydell,  "  I  am  sorry  for  Glossin." 

"  Now,  I  think,"  said  Mannering,  "  he  is  the  least 
worthy  of  pity  of  the  two.  The  other's  a  bold 
fellow,  though  as  hard  as  flint." 

"  Very  natural,  Colonel,"  said  the  advocate,  "  that 
you  should  be  interested  in  the  ruffian,  and  I  in  the 
knave — that's  all  professional  taste  ;  but  I  can  tell 
you  Glossin  would  have  been  a  pretty  lawyer  had 
he  not  had  such  a  turn  for  the  roguish  part  of 
the  profession." 

"Scandal  would  say,"  observed  Mannering,  "he 
might  not  be  the  worse  lawyer  for  that." 

"  Scandal  would  tell  a  lie,  then,"  replied  Pleydell, 
"as  she  usually  does.  Law's  like  laudanum — it's 
much  more  easy  to  use  it  as  a  quack  does,  than 
to  learn  to  apply  it  like  a  physician."  x 

1  Chap.  lvi. 


Guy  Mannering  31 

This  quaint,  witty  comparison  is  the  more  in- 
terestine  when  it  is  remembered  that  Scott 
himself  lived  much  among  Scottish  lawyers 
and  had  therefore  great  personal  experience. 
It  is  Scott's  constant  habit  to  describe  good 
and  bad  men  of  the  same  religious  profession, 
political  principles,  and  worldly  position,  for  the 
sake,  doubtless,  of  the  reflections  which  their 
comparison  naturally  suggests  to  the  reader. 
For  it  is  evidently  his  paramount  object  in 
all  his  writings  to  diminish,  and,  if  possible, 
overcome  all  feelings  of  prejudice,  except 
against  sin  and  vice,  which  he  steadily  re- 
veals and  exposes  in  all  political  or  religious 
disguises  and  in  all  ranks  and  positions  of 
life.  Yet  in  this  story  Glossin  and  Hatteraick 
are  neither  of  them  totally  devoid  of  conscience 
or  remorse.  Indeed,  few,  if  any,  among 
Scott's  villains  are,  and  in  this  respect  he  is 
unlike  some  other  great  delineators  of  human 
character.  Glossin  is  made  to  wish  himself 
dead,  through  remorse,  even  when  successful,1 
and     Hatteraick,     even    after     committing    two 

1  Chap,  xxxiv. 


32  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

murders,    protests    against    being    described    as 
having 

spent  a  life  without  a  single  virtue. 

He    immediately     exclaims,     in    moral      self- 
defence  : 

"  Virtue  !    I  was  always  faithful  to  my  shipowners  ; 
always  accounted  for  cargo   to  the  last  stiver." 

Yet  these  two  men  are  described  so  naturally, 
and  their  crimes  are  so  detestable,  that  their 
wretched  fate  elicits  no  sympathy.  Unlike 
some  writers,  who  attempt  to  make  criminals 
attractive  and  interesting  as  well  as  wicked 
and  dangerous,  Scott  in  this  respect,  like 
Shakespeare,  describes  them  as  they  really  are, 
and  as  the  dreadful  experience  of  magistrates  and 
police  detectives  confirms.  According  to  their 
knowledge  the  generality  of  criminals,  without 
being  positive  monsters  of  iniquity,  incapable 
of  occasional  remorse,  are  usually  unworthy  of 
that  sympathy,  interest,  and  compassion  which 
should  be  reserved  for  the  innocent  and  un- 
fortunate. 


Guy  Mannering  33 

Scott  gives  a  curious  and  graphic  description 
of  the  sale  of  Ellangowan  Castle,  in  which  his 
keen  observation  and  delicate  sympathy  for 
distress  and  misfortune  are  strikingly  dis- 
played : 

There  is  something  melancholy  in  such  a  scene, 
even  under  the  most  favourable  circumstances. 
The  confused  state  of  the  furniture,  displaced  for 
the  convenience  of  being  easily  viewed  and  carried 
off  by  the  purchasers,  is  disagreeable  to  the  eye. 
Those  articles  which,  properly  and  decently  arranged, 
look  creditable  and  handsome,  have  then  a  paltry 
and  wretched  appearance  ;  and  the  apartments, 
stripped  of  all  that  render  them  commodious  and 
comfortable,  have  an  aspect  of  ruin  and  dilapida- 
tion. It  is  disgusting  also  to  see  the  scenes  of 
domestic  society  and  seclusion  thrown  open  to  the 
gaze  of  the  curious  and  the  vulgar,  to  hear  their 
coarse  speculations  and  brutal  jests  upon  the  fashions 
and  furniture  to  which  they  are  unaccustomed, — a 
frolicsome  humour,  much  cherished  by  the  whisky 
which  in  Scotland  is  always  put  in  circulation  on 
such  occasions. x 

The  ruin  of  the  Bertram  family  and  the  subse- 
quent recovery   of   their   property   are    narrated 

1  Chap.  xiii. 
3 


34  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

with  amazing  skill  and  power,  but  the  main 
interest  of  this  story  is  centred  in  a  few  re- 
markable characters,  who,  though  in  subor- 
dinate positions  to  the  young  heroes  and 
heroines,  yet  claim  and  engross  the  reader's 
attention  from  first  to  last,  and  are  certainly  some 
of  the  happiest  efforts  of  Sir  Walter's  genius. 
These  may  be  considered  as  almost  pure  in- 
ventions, for  though  he  says  that  Dominie 
Sampson  and  Meg  Merrilies  were  to  a  slight 
extent  drawn  from  life,  yet  so  little  was  evi- 
dently known,  even  to  Scott,  of  their  pro- 
totypes, that  their  characters  and  language, 
like  their  course  of  action  in  the  novel,  are 
chiefly  due  to  the  consistency  and  power  of 
his  imagination. 


THE   ANTIQUARY 


CHAPTER    II 

THE    ANTIQUARY 

r  I  "HIS  work,  as  Mr.  Shaw  observes,1  is  an 
-*-  admirable  novel  of  familiar  Scottish  life. 
It  is  remarked  by  another  admirer  of  Scott's,2 
that  though  it  has  not  the  historic  character 
of  "  Waverley,"  or  the  varied  charm  of  "Guy 
Mannering,"  yet  in  some  scenes  and  characters 
it  surpasses  both  its  predecessors.  It  certainly 
is  one  of  the  most  cheerful,  sensible,  and 
pleasing  of  his  novels,  though  not  so  exciting 
or  deeply  interesting  as  many  of  them.  It 
must  be  owned,  however,  that  the  hero  and 
heroine — Lovel  and  Miss  Isabella  Wardour — 
the  last  especially,  are  rather  uninteresting, 
without  being  failures.     There  is  nothing  incon- 

1  "  Student's  English  Literature." 

*  Rev.  Mr.  Gilfillan's  "  Life  of  Scott." 

37 


38  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

sistent  or  unnatural  in  their  conduct ;  but  Scott 
apparently  cares  little  about  them  himself. 
They  are  seldom  introduced,  and  take  a  very 
secondary  part  in  the  story.  The  main  interest 
lies  in  Mr.  Oldbuck,  the  shrewd  and  worthy 
Antiquary,  the  old  bedesman,  Edie  Ochiltree, 
the  melancholy  Lord  Glenallan,  the  penitent 
old  crone  Elspeth,  the  German  swindler 
Dousterswivel,  and  his  pettish  dupe,  Sir  Arthur 
Wardour.  This  last  character,  though  weak, 
silly,  and  irritable,  is  wonderfully  natural  from 
first  to  last.  The  sympathy  which  his  mis- 
fortunes excite,  and  the  pleasure  the  reader 
feels  at  his  relief,  are  remarkable  proofs  of 
Scott's  genius,  considering  poor  Sir  Arthur's 
foolish  conduct  and  character. 

Edie  Ochiltree  is  certainly  one  of  the  most 
interesting  characters  in  this  story,  and  the 
scene  which,  above  all,  first  captivates  and 
engrosses  the  reader,  is  the  grand  description 
of  the  sea  storm,1  from  the  effects  of  which 
Sir  Arthur,  Miss  Wardour,  and  himself  have 
such  a  narrow  escape  : 

1  Chap.  vii. 


The  Antiquary  39 

It  was,  indeed,  a  dreadful  evening.  The  howling 
of  the  storm,  mingled  with  the  shrieks  of  the  sea-fowl, 
sounded  like  the  dirge  of  the  three  devoted  beings 
who,  pent  between  two  of  the  most  magnificent  yet 
most  dreadful  objects  of  nature — a  raging  tide  and 
an  insurmountable  precipice — toiled  along  their  pain- 
ful and  dangerous  path,  often  lashed  by  the  spray 
of  some  giant  billow,  which  threw  itself  higher  on 
the  beach  than  those  which  preceded  it.  They 
struggled  forward,  however  ;  but  when  they  arrived 
at  the  point  from  which  they  ought  to  have  seen 
the  crag,  it  was  no  longer  visible — the  signal  of 
safety  was  lost  among  a  thousand  white  breakers, 
which,  dashing  upon  the  point  of  the  promontory, 
rose  in  prodigious  sheets  of  snowy  foam  as  high  as 
the  mast  of  a  first-rate  man-of-war,  against  the  dark 
brow  of  the  precipice. 

The  countenance  of  the  old  man  fell.  Isabella 
gave  a  faint  shriek,  and  "  God  have  mercy  upon 
us  ! "  which  her  guide  solemnly  uttered  was  piteously 
echoed  by  Sir  Arthur  :  "  My  child  !  my  child  ! — to 
die  such  a  death  !  " 

"  My  father  !  my  dear  father  ! "  his  daughter  ex- 
claimed, clinging  to  him,  "  and  you,  too,  who  have 
lost  your  own  life  in  endeavouring  to  save  ours  ! " 

The  weak  character  of  Sir  Arthur  and  the 
noble  courage  of  Ochiltree  are  well  shown  in 
the  following  words  : 


4-0  Sir  Walter   Scott  Studied 

"Good  man/'  said  Sir  Arthur,  "can  you  think  of 
nothing  ? — of  no  help  ?  I'll  make  you  rich — I'll  give 
you  a  farm — I'll " 

"  Our  riches  will  soon  be  equal,"  said  the  beggar, 
looking  out  upon  the  strife  of  the  waters — "they  are 
sae  already ;  for  I  hae  nae  land,  and  you  would 
give  your  fair  bounds  and  barony  for  a  square  yard 
of  earth  that  would  be  dry  for  twal  hours." 

At  this  terrible  moment,  however,  assistance 
appears  in  the  form  of  Lovel  and  Oldbuck,  so 
that  the  Wardours  and  brave  old  Edie  are, 
after  great  risk  and  difficulty,  finally  rescued 
from  their  impending  danger.  Scott,  as  if  to 
relieve  himself,  after  describing  this  dangerous 
scene,  immediately  reverts  to  Oldbuck's  comfort- 
able house.  Sir  Arthur  and  his  daughter  return 
safe  to  their  own  home,  while  old  Edie  is 
offered  many  a  night's  shelter  from  various 
neighbours  who  have  aided  in  the  rescue. 
Oldbuck  and  Lovel  return  together  to  Monk- 
barns,  where  the  Antiquary's  reception  by  his 
sister,  Miss  Griselda,  is  sufficiently  amusing. 
Oldbuck,  though  often  sarcastic  and  almost 
rude  to  her  and  to  his  niece,  Mary  Mclntyre, 
is    really    much    attached    to    both.      He    now 


The  Antiquary  41 

reveals  his  true  feelings  when  asking  after  his 
niece  ;  his  old  sister  replies  : 

u  Indeed,  brother,  amang  a'  the  steery,  Maria 
wadna  be  guided  by  me — she  set  away  to  the 
Halket-craig-head — I  wonder  ye  didna  see  her." 

"  Eh  ! — what — what's  that  you  say,  sister  ?  Did  the 
girl  go  out  in  a  night  like  this  to  the  Halket-head  ? — 
Good  God,  the  misery  of  the  night  is  not  ended  yet ! " 

"  But  ye  winna  wait,  Monkbarns — ye  are  so  im- 
perative and  impatient." 

"  Tittle-tattle,  woman,"  said  the  impatient  and 
agitated  Antiquary,  "  where  is  my  dear  Mary  ?  " 

"  Just  where  ye  suld  be  yoursell,  Monkbarns — 
upstairs  and  in  her  warm  bed." 

"  I  could  have  sworn  it,"  said  Oldbuck,  laughing, 
but  obviously  much  relieved.  "I  could  have  sworn  it." 

But  Oldbuck,  little  knowing  what  has  passed 
at  his  house  during  his  visit  to  the  scene  of 
danger,  proceeds  : 

" .  .  .  Let  Lovel  and  me  have  forthwith  the  relics 
of  the  chicken-pie  and  the  reversion  of  the  port." 

"  The  chicken-pie — the  port  !  Ou  dear,  brother 
— there  was  but  a  wheen  banes  and  scarce  a  drap  o' 
the  wine." 

The  Antiquary's  face  became  clouded,  though  he 
was   too   well   bred   to   give  way  in  the  presence  of 


42  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

a   stranger   to   his   displeased   surprise   .   .   .   but   his 

sister    understood    these   looks    of    ire.      M  Ou   dear  ! 

Monkbarns,  what's  the  use  o'  making  a  wark  ?" 
"  I  make  no  wark  as  ye  call  it,  woman." 
"  But    what's   the    use    o'    looking    so    glum    and 

glunch  about  a  pickle  banes  ?  " 

Then  comes  the  explanation  : 

"An  ye  will  hae  the  truth  ye  maun  ken  the 
minister  came  in — worthy  man — sair  distressed  he 
was,  nae  doubt,  about  your  precaurious  situation  as 
he  ca'd  it  (for  ye  ken  how  weel  he's  gifted  wi' 
words),  and  here  he  would  bide  till  he  could  hear 
wi'  certainty  how  the  matter  was  likely  to  gang  wi' 
ye  a'.  He  said  fine  things  on  the  duty  o'  resignation 
to  Providence's  will,  worthy  man,  that  did  he." 

Oldbuck  replied,  catching  the  same  tone,  "  Worthy 
man  ! — he  cared  not  how  soon  Monkbarns  had  de- 
volved on  an  heir-female,  I've  a  notion — and  while 
he  was  occupied  in  this  Christian  office  of  consola- 
tion against  impending  evil,  I  reckon  that  the  chicken- 
pie  and  my  good  port  disappeared." 

"  Dear  brother,  how  can  ye  speak  o'  sic  frivolities 
when  ye  have  had  siccan  an  escape  from  the  craig?" 

"  Better  than  my  supper  has  had  from  the  minister's 
craig,  Grizzie — it's  all  discussed,  I  suppose  ?  " 

"  Hout,  Monkbarns,  ye  speak  as  if  there  was  nae 
mair  meat  in  the  house."  * 

1  Chap.  ix. 


The  Antiquary  43 

Though  the  storm  scene  is  the  most  exciting 
one  in  the  book,  among  the  most  amusing  are 
the  comic  disappointment  of  Oldbuck  in  his 
antiquarian  fancies,  and  the  long  conversation 
in  Fairport  post-office  between  the  roguish 
postmistress,  Mrs.  Mailsetter,  and  her  two 
gossiping  friends,  Mrs.  Heukbane  and  Mrs. 
Shortcake.  They  examine  the  letters,  espe- 
cially those  they  suspect  are  love-letters,  when 
Mrs.   Mailsetter  exclaims  : 


"  Od,  here's  another." 

"A  ship  letter!"     All  rushed  to  seize  it. 

"  Na;  na,  leddies,"  said  Mrs.  Mailsetter,  interfering. 
"  I  have  had  enough  o'  that  wark.  Ken  ye  that  Mr. 
Mailsetter  got  an  unco'  rebuke  frae  the  secretary  at 
Edinburgh  for  a  complaint  that  was  made  about  a 
letter  of  Aily  Bisset's  that  ye  opened,  Mrs.  Short- 
cake ?  " 

"  Me  opened  ? "  answered  the  spouse  of  the  chief 
baker  in  Fairport ;  "  ye  ken  yoursell,  madam,  that  it 
cam  open  o'  free  will  in  my  hand.  What  could  I 
help  it  ? — folk  suld  seal  wi'  better  wax." 

"  Weel,  I  wot  that's  true  too,"  said  Mrs.  Mailsetter, 
who  kept  a  shop  of  small  wares,  "and  we  have  got 
some  that  I  can  honestly  recommend.  .  .  .  But  I 
wad  aye   be   obliging   and  neighbourly,  and   I'm  no 


44  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

again  your  looking  at  the  outside  o'  a  letter  neither. 
See,   the   seal   has   an   anchor  on't — he's   done't   wi 
ane  of  his  buttons,  I'm  thinking." 

"Show  me,  show  me,"  quoth  the  wives  of  the  chief 
butcher  and  chief  baker,  and  threw  themselves  on 
the  supposed  love-letter,  like  the  weird  sisters  in 
"  Macbeth "  upon  the  pilot's  thumb,  with  curiosity 
as  eager  and  scarcely  less  malignant.1 

Scott  may  perhaps  be  too  severe  in  this 
classification,  for  surely  the  peaceful  old 
Scottish  gossips,  however  eager  and  inquisitive 
about  news,  never  contemplated  doing  fatal 
injury  to  any  one  and  were,  it  is  to  be  hoped, 
incapable  of  actual  criminality.2 

1  Chap.  xv. 

2  The  regret  which  Shakespeare's  witches  indicate 
at  their  limited  powers  of  doing  harm  to  mortals 
seems  revealed  by  one  of  them  in  her  rage  against 
a  sailor's  wife  who  had  offended  her,  and  whose 
husband  she  apparently  wished  to  drown  : 

"  Tho'  his  bark  cannot  be  lost, 
Yet  it  shall  be  tempest-toss'd. 
Look  what  I  have." 

The  other  two  witches  exclaim  : 

"  Show  me,  show  me," 


The  Antiquary  45 

It  is  remarkable  that  though  Scott  was  him- 
self an  antiquary,1  he  rather  ridicules  Mr. 
Oldbuck's  taste  for  antiquities  by  making  him 
often  deceived  by  his  own  eager  imagination 
or  by  the  cunning  of  others,  despite  his  usual 
prudence  and  shrewdness.  In  two  cases  espe- 
cially, Oldbuck's  enthusiastic  love  for  antiquity 
causes  him  both  loss  and  ridicule.  When  he 
thinks  he  has  found  the  site  of  a  Roman 
camp  at  the  time  when  the  general  Agricola 
was  said  to  have  invaded  or  tried  to  invade 
Scotland,  the  eager  Antiquary  exclaims  to  his 
young  friend,  Mr.  Lovel,  who  partly  sympathises 
with  him  : 


"  From  this  place,  now  scarce  to  be  distinguished 
but  by  its  slight  elevation  and  its  greener  turf  from 
the  rest  of  the  fortification,  we  may  suppose  Agricola 


and  the  third,  with  triumphant  malignity,  replies 

"  Here  I  have  a  pilot's  thumb, 
Wreck'd  as  homeward  he  did  come."2 


1  Lockhart's  "  Life  of  Scott." 

2  Act  1,  Scene  3. 


46  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

to  have  looked  forth  on  the  immense  army  of 
Caledonians  occupying  the  declivities  of  yon  opposite 
hill,  the  infantry  rising  rank  over  rank  as  the  form 
of  ground  displayed  their  array  to  the  best  advan- 
tage. .  .  . 

.  .  .  See  then,  Lovel — See  .  .  . 
See   that   huge   battle  moving  from  the  mountains  ! 
Their    gilt    coats    shine    like    dragon    scales ; — their 

march 
Like   a  rough  tumbling  storm — See  them,  and  view 

them, 
And  then  see  Rome  no  more  ! . 


Oldbuck  thus  continues  enthusiastically,  allowing 
his  eager  fancy  to  altogether  outrun  his  cool 
judgment  : 

"  Yes,  my  dear  friend,  from  this  stance  it  is  probable 
— nay,  it  is  nearly  certain,  that  Julius  Agricola  beheld 
what  our  Beaumont  has  so  admirably  described  ! — 
From  this  very  Praetorium " 

A  voice  from  behind  interrupted  his  ecstatic  descrip- 
tion, "  Praetorian  here,  Praetorian  there,  I  mind  the 
bigging  o't," 

and  the  shrewd  old  Scottish  beggar,  Edie 
Ochiltree,  formerly   a   soldier,  suddenly  appears 


The  Antiquary  47 

and  thus  explains  about  the  site  of  this  supposed 
Roman  camp,  exclaiming  : 

"...  I  just  ken  this  about  it,  that  about  twenty 
years  syne,  I  and  a  wheen  hallenshakers  like  mysell 
and  the  mason-lads  .  .  .  just  set  to  wark  and  built 
this  bit  thing  here  that  ye  ca'  the — the  Praetorian,  and 
a'  just  for  a  bield  at  auld  Aiken  Drum's  bridal,  and  a 
bit  blithe  gae-down  we  had  in't  some  sair  rainy 
weather.  .  .  ." 

At  this  news  Lovel  glances  at  the  poor  surprised, 
disappointed  Antiquary,  whose  cruel  vexation 
Scott  thus  describes  with  an  interest  which 
perhaps  was  partly  owing  to  some  former  dis- 
appointments of  his  own  in  vainly  trying  to  recall 
past  times : 

.  .  .  Gentle  reader,  if  thou  hast  ever  beheld  the 
visage  of  a  damsel  of  sixteen  whose  romance  of  true 
love  has  been  blown  up  by  an  untimely  discovery,  or 
of  a  child  of  ten  years  whose  castle  of  cards  has  been 
blown  down  by  a  malicious  companion,  I  can  safely 
aver  to  you  that  Jonathan  Oldbuck  of  Monkbarns 
looked  neither  more  wise  nor  less  disconcerted. 

Again,  chap.  xvi.  describes  Oldbuck  tempted 
by  the  town  clerk  of  Fairport  to  allow  a  water- 


48  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

course  through  his  land  by  promising  the 
Antiquary  some  carved  monumental  stones  in 
return  for  the  permission  : 

They  parted  mutually  satisfied,  but  the  wily  clerk 
had  the  most  reason  to  exult  in  the  dexterity  he  had 
displayed,  since  the  whole  proposal  of  an  exchange 
between  the  monuments  (which  the  council,  in 
Fairport,  had  determined  to  remove  as  a  nuisance, 
because  they  encroached  three  feet  upon  the  public 
road)  and  the  privilege  of  conveying  the  water  to  the 
burgh  through  the  estate  of  Monkbarns  was  an  idea 
which  had  originated  with  himself  upon  the  pressure 
of  the  moment 

Oldbuck  lives  a  quiet,  retired  life  with  his 
sister  and  niece,  Miss  Griselda  Oldbuck  and 
Miss  Mclntyre,  both  very  different  from  him  in 
tastes,  yet  a  strong  mutual  affection  exists 
between  the  three.  Oldbuck  had  once  loved 
a  Miss  Neville,  who  rejected  him  and  privately 
married  the  Earl  of  Glenallan,  whose  mother, 
disliking  the  proposed  marriage,  and  not  know- 
ing it  had  actually  taken  place,  made  a  false 
statement  that  Miss  Neville  was  too  nearly 
related   to  him  to  authorise  their  union  by  any 


The  Antiquary  49 

Christian    Church.       Miss    Neville,    who    nearly- 
lost  her  senses  at  this  revelation,  soon  after  died, 
apparently  by  suicide,  though    this   is    not  very 
clearly  explained,  leaving  an  only  child,  a  son, 
who    was    taken    abroad    by    a    foreign    nurse 
without  the  father's  knowledge.     He  was  after- 
wards brought  up,  or  at  least  supported,  by  an 
uncle,  who,  however,  does  not  tell  him  his  whole 
history,  under  the  name  of  Lovel.     He  falls  in 
love  with    Miss    Wardour,    whom    he    meets   in 
England,    and    follows    her     to     Scotland,    little 
knowing  that  the  Wardours  are  near  neighbours 
to  his  own  lawful  patrimony  of  Glenallan  Castle. 
His     father,     Lord     Glenallan,    depressed     and 
melancholy    ever    since    his    wife's    death,    has 
lived  for  many  years  alone  with  his    mother   in 
this  solitary  castle.     Soon  after  the  elder  Lady 
Glenallan's  death  and  the  subsequent  confession 
of  her  servant  Elspeth,  Lovel,  who  finds  a  warm 
friend  in  Mr.  Oldbuck,  whose  antiquarian  tastes 
he     shares,    is     introduced     by    him     to    Lord 
Glenallan.        Both    are    greatly     impressed     by 
Lovel's  strong  likeness  to  his  unfortunate  mother, 
for  whose  love  these  elderly  gentlemen  had  once 

4 


50  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

been  rivals.  Lovel  knows  enough  of  his  past 
history  to  confirm  the  belief  and  hope  of  Lord 
Glenallan  that  he  is  his  long-lost  son.  After 
this  change  in  Lovel's  position,  it  certainly  seems 
that  Miss  Wardour's  coldness  to  him  also 
changes  with  great  rapidity,  and  their  marriage 
is  announced,  though  not  described. 

This  pleasant  story  ends  well  and  happily 
for  all  its  chief  characters,  and  is  on  the 
whole  among  the  most  amusing  and  cheerful 
of  all  the  Waverley  Novels  ;  its  incidents  and 
interest  are  all  of  a  domestic  character,  and  the 
scene  is  laid  entirely  in  a  retired  part  of  Scot- 
land during  a  time  of  profound  peace.  Perhaps 
on  this  account,  therefore,  this  book,  as  Scott 
admits  in  the  preface,  was  not  so  popular 
at  first  as  its  two  predecessors  were,  but  it 
soon  became  equally,  if  not  more  so,  with 
many  readers.  This  cold  reception  was,  per- 
haps, owing  to  its  not  containing  any  very 
exciting  scenes  or  incidents,  which  at  first  might 
produce  disappointment,  though  a  more  careful 
examination  entirely  removed  this  feeling.  The 
work     abounds     with     admirable     pictures     of 


The  Antiquary  51 

Scottish  life  and  character,  as  well  as  wise 
and  valuable  reflections.  Among  these  may 
be  noticed  the  reply  to  Miss  Wardour's  in- 
quiries, when  visiting  a  ruined  monastery  with 
a  party  of  friends,  why  so  little  was  known  to 
posterity  about  the  former  inmates  of  the 
ancient  edifice,  when  many  legends  of  free- 
booters and  robbers  were  carefully  preserved 
by  tradition  among  the  Scottish  peasantry. 
The  sensible  answer  to  this  question  Scott 
assigns  to  Lovel,  and  it  doubtless  conveys  his 
own  opinion  : 

"  The  eras  by  which  the  vulgar  compute  time  have 
always  reference  to  some  period  of  fear  and  tribu- 
lation, and  they  date  by  a  tempest,  an  earthquake, 
or  burst  of  civil  commotion.  When  such  are  the 
facts  most  alive  in  the  memory  of  the  common 
people,  we  cannot  wonder  that  the  ferocious  warrior 
is  remembered,  and  the  peaceful  abbots  are  aban- 
doned  to   forgetfulness  and   oblivion." * 

During  this  pleasure  party,  the  two  "  origi- 
nals," as  Scott  himself  calls  Oldbuck  and  Sir 
Arthur   Wardour,    are    nearly   having    a    theo- 

1  Chap.  xvii. 


52  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

logical  or  political  dispute,  which,  however,  is 
prevented  by  the  timely  prudence  of  Miss 
Wardour.  Oldbuck  and  Sir  Arthur  are  both 
Protestants,  yet  the  latter  is  evidently  an 
extreme  Tory,  if  not  a  Jacobite,  while  the 
Antiquary  is  a  decided,  though  rather  a  whim- 
sical Liberal.  On  surveying  the  ruins  of  the 
old  Roman  Catholic  monastery  Oldbuck  ex- 
claims, with  the  historic  interest  of  an  enthusi- 
astic antiquary  : 

"There  was  the  retreat  of  learning  in  the  days 
of  darkness.  There  reposed  the  sages  who  were 
aweary  of  the  world,  and  devoted  either  to  that 
which  is  to  come  or  to  the  service  of  the  genera- 
tions who  should  follow  them  in  this.  I  will  show 
you  presently  the  library — see  that  stretch  of  wall 
with  square-shafted  windows  —  there  it  existed, 
stored,  as  an  old  manuscript  in  my  possession 
assures  me,  with  five  thousand  volumes.  And  here 
I  might  well  take  up  the  lamentation  of  the  learned 
Leland,  who,  regretting  the  downfall  of  the  con- 
ventual libraries,  exclaims,  like  Rachel  weeping  for 
her  children,  that  if  the  papal  laws,  decrees, 
decretals,  Clementines  .  .  .  had  leaped  out  of  our 
libraries  for  the  accommodation  of  grocers,  candle- 
makers,  soap-sellers  and  other  worldly  occupiers,  we 


The  Antiquary  53 

might  have  been  therewith  contented.  But  to  put 
our  ancient  chronicles,  our  noble  histories,  our 
learned  commentaries  and  national  muniments  to 
such  offices  of  contempt  and  subjection,  has  greatly 
degraded  our  nation,  and  shown  ourselves  dishonest 
in  the  eyes  of  posterity  to  the  utmost  stretch  of 
time — O  negligence  most  unfriendly  to  our  land  !  " 

Here  Oldbuck's  antiquarian  tastes  evidently 
clash  with  his  religious  or  political  principles, 
and  thus  the  comparatively  dull  Sir  Arthur 
is  able  to  exclaim  with  sarcastic  truth  : 

"And  O,  John  Knox,  through  whose  influence 
and  under  whose  auspices  the  patriotic  task  was 
accomplished  ! " 

The  Antiquary,  somewhat  in  the  situation  of  a 
woodcock  caught  in  his  own  springe,  turned  short 
round  and  coughed,  to  excuse  a  slight  blush  as  he 
mustered  his  answer — 

"As  to  the  Apostle  of  the  Scottish  Reforma- 
tion  " 

But  Miss  Wardour  broke  in  to  interrupt  a  con- 
versation so  dangerous.1 

The  interest  of  the  amusing  scene  where 
Lovel  and  Edie  Ochiltree  overhear  and  frighten 

1  Chap.  xvii. 


54  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

Sir  Arthur  Wardour  and  Dousterswivel,  when 
hunting  for  hidden  treasure  in  the  evening 
amid  the  ruins  of  St.  Ruth's  monastery,  is 
rather  marred  by  the  provoking  though  short- 
lived success  of  the  swindler  in  duping  his 
unlucky  patron. 

Dousterswivel  set  fire  to  a  little  pile  of  chips, 
and  when  the  flame  was  at  the  highest,  and  lightened 
with  its  short-lived  glare  all  the  ruins  around,  the 
German  flung  in  a  handful  of  perfumes,  which  pro- 
duced a  strong  and  pungent  odour.  The  exorcist 
and  his  pupil  both  were  so  much  affected  as  to 
cough  and  sneeze  heartily,  and  as  the  vapour 
floated  around  the  pillars  of  the  building  and 
penetrated  every  crevice,  it  produced  the  same  effect 
on  the  beggar  and  Lovel. 

"  Was  that  an  echo  ?  "  said  the  baronet,  "  or,"  draw- 
ing close  to  the  adept,  "  can  it  be  the  spirit  you 
talked  of,  ridiculing  our  attempt  upon  his  hidden 
treasures  ?  " 

"  N — n — no,"  muttered  the  German,  who  began  to 
partake  of  his  pupil's  terrors.     "  I  hope  not." 

Here  a  violent  explosion  of  sneezing  confounded 
the  two  treasure-seekers. 

"  Lord  have  mercy  on  us  ! "   said  the  Baronet, 

while  the  German,  equally  terrified,  exclaims  in 


The  Antiquary  55 

his  own  language,   "  All  good  ghosts  praise  the 
Lord ! "  « 


The  distress  of  the  Mucklebackits  at  their 
son's  death,  and  the  remorseful  confessions  of 
old  Elspeth  to  Lord  Glenallan,  succeed  each 
other  in  a  remarkable  manner. 

Lord  Glenallan  visits  the  house  of  mourning 
and  addresses  the  old  woman,  asking  her  : 

"  Why  was  it  you  so  urgently  requested  to  see 
me  !  and  why  did  you  back  your  request  by  send- 
ing a  token  which  you  knew  well  I  dared  not  refuse  ?  " 
As  he  spoke  thus,  he  took  from  his  purse  the  ring 
which  Edie  Ochiltree  had  given  him  at  Glenallan 
House.  The  sight  of  this  token  produced  a  strange 
and  instantaneous  effect  upon  the  old  woman.  The 
palsy  of  fear  was  immediately  added  to  that  of  age, 
and  she  began  instantly  to  search  her  pockets  with 
the  tremulous  and  hasty  agitation  of  one  who  be- 
comes first  apprehensive  of  having  lost  something 
of  great  importance — then,  as  if  convinced  of  the 
reality  of  her  fears,  she  turned  to  the  Earl  and 
demanded,  "  And  how  came  ye  by  it  then — how 
came  ye  by  it  ?  I  thought  I  had  kept  it  sae  securely 
— what   will   the  Countess   say  ?  " 

1  Chap.  xxi. 


56  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

"  You  know,"  said  the  Earl,  "  at  least  you  must 
have   heard,  that  my   mother  is  dead." 

"  Dead,  are  ye  no  imposing  on  me  ?  has  she 
left   a'  at  last,  lands  and  lordships  and  lineages  ?  " 

"All,  all,"  said  the  Earl,  "as  mortals  must 
leave   all  human    vanities." 

"  I  mind  now,"  answered  Elspeth,  "  I  heard  of 
it  before ;  but  there  has  been  sic  distress  in  our 
house  since,  and  my  memory  is  sae  muckle  im- 
paired. But  ye  are  sure  your  mother,  the  lady 
Countess,    is  gane   hame  ? " 

The  Earl  again  assured  her  that  her  former 
mistress  was   no  more. 

"  Then,"  said  Elspeth,  "  it  shall  burden  my 
mind  nae  langer  !  When  she  lived,  wha  dared  to 
speak  what  it  would  hae  displeased  her  to  hae 
had  noised  abroad  ?  But  she's  gane — and  I  will 
confess   all." 

As  a  rule,  the  changes  in  fiction  are  from 
cheerfulness  to  melancholy  alternately,  but  in 
this  instance  the  reader  is  still  sorrowing  for 
poor  drowned  Steenie  Mucklebackit  and  his 
afflicted  parents,  when  his  interest  is  swiftly 
transferred  to  old  Elspeth's  revelation  of  her 
plot  with  Lady  Glenallan  to  prevent  the 
marriage  of  her  son,  Lord  Glenallan,  and 
to   murder   his    infant   son.      This   transition    is 


The  Antiquary  57 

effected  with  great  power,  and  these  two  scenes, 
with  the  death  of  Elspeth,  form  almost  the 
only  gloomy  ones  in  this  otherwise  cheerful 
novel. 

Oldbuck  and  his  nephew,  Captain  Mclntyre, 
with  old  Edie,  call  at  the  old  woman's  abode, 
where  she  is  singing  scraps  of  old  songs  to 
herself,  when  Edie  reminds  her  of  her  former 
mistress's  death,  saying  : 


"  So  ye  canna  keep  in  mind,  cummer,  that  your 
auld  mistress,  the  Countess  Josceline,  has  been 
removed  ?  " 

"  Removed  !  "  she  exclaimed,  for  that  name  never 
failed  to  produce  its  usual  effect  upon  her  ;  "  then 
we  maun  all  follow — a'  maun  ride  when  she  is  in 
the  saddle.  Bring  my  hood  and  scarf — ye  wadna  hae 
me  gang  in  the  carriage  wi'  my  lady  and  my  hair  in 
this  fashion  ?  "  She  raised  her  shrivelled  arms  and 
seemed  busied  like  a  woman  who  puts  on  her  cloak 
to  go  abroad,  then  dropped  them  slowly  and  stiffly  ; 
and,  the  same  idea  of  a  journey  still  floating  appar- 
ently through  her  head,  she  proceeded  in  a  hurried 
and  interrupted  manner,  "  My  lady  calls  us.  Bring 
a  candle — the  grand  staircase  is  as  mirk  as  a  Yule 
midnight.  We  are  coming,  my  lady  ! "  With  these 
words  she  sunk  back  on  the  settle,  and  from  thence 


58  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

sidelong  to  the  floor.  Edie  ran  to  support  her,  but 
hardly  got  her  in  his  arms  before  he  said,  u  It's  a' 
ower — she  has  passed  away  even  with  that  last 
word."  * 

Though  poor  Sir  Arthur  Wardour's  troubles 
with  his  creditors  occur  at  the  end  of  the  book, 
they  are  rather  amusing  than  sad,  directly  the 
happy  result  is  known. 

Messrs.  Greenhorn  &  Grinderson,  Sir  Arthur's 
creditors,  through  the  roguery  of  Douster- 
swivel  procure  his  arrest  for  debt,  when  rescue 
comes  by  Sir  Arthur's  son,  Captain  Wardour, 
obtaining  the  requisite  money  from  Lovel,  his 
personal  friend.  Mr.  Greenhorn  immediately 
writes  an  apologetic  letter  to  the  relieved  Sir 
Arthur,  in  a  very  different  style  from  a  previous 
one  of  his  partner  Grinderson,  which  was 
written  in  a  comparatively  insulting  style.  Sir 
Arthur  reads  this  last  letter  aloud  to  his  shrewd 
old  friend  the  Antiquary,  who  makes  the 
following  caustic,  but  perhaps  true,  observation 
upon  its  contrast  to  Mr.  Grinderson's  previous 
epistle  : 

1  Chap.  xl. 


The  Antiquary  59 

"Well  said,  Mr.  Gilbert  Greenhorn  ;  I  see  now 
there  is  some  use  in  having  two  attorneys  in  one 
firm.  Their  movements  resemble  those  of  the  man 
and  woman  in  a  Dutch  baby-house.  When  it  is 
fair  weather  with  the  client,  out  comes  the  gentleman 
partner  to  fawn  like  a  spaniel  ;  when  it  is  foul,  forth 
bolts    the  operative  brother  to  pin  like  a  bull-dog."  " 


The  trials  of  her  father  might  have  made 
the  heroine,  Miss  Wardour,  somewhat  inter- 
esting ;  but  Scott  apparently  feels  little  interest 
in  her  himself,  so  no  wonder  his  readers  cannot, 
for  she  is  in  fact  perhaps  the  most  unattractive 
of  all  his  heroines,  while  the  hero,  Lovel, 
though  his  situation  is  eminently  interesting, 
is  one  of  the  least  attractive  of  his  heroes. 
Even  the  Highlander,  Hector  Mclntyre,  Old- 
buck's  nephew,  though  hot-tempered  and 
passionate,  is  almost  equally  interesting  to  the 
reader,  and  apparently  to  the  author  also  ;  but 
Jonathan  Oldbuck,  the  Antiquary,  is  himself 
the  real  hero  of  this  story.  Although  caustic 
and  censorious  to  all  about  him,  often  sarcastic, 
but    never   ill-natured,    his    kindness  and  gener- 

1  Chap,  xliii. 


60  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

osity  on  all  occasions  of  real  distress  remind 
the  reader  of  Dr.  Samuel  Johnson,  whom, 
indeed,  in  many  respects  he  somewhat  re- 
sembles, and  of  whom  it  was  said  "  he  had 
nothing  of  the  bear  about  him  but  his  skin." 

Thus  when  Mr.  Oldbuck  finds  and  expels 
his  niece,  Miss  Mclntyre,  and  a  maid  from  his 
library,  which  they  had  been  trying  to  make 
comparatively  neat  and  tidy,  the  irritable 
but  never  ill-natured  Antiquary  exclaims  to 
Lovel  : — 

"You'll  be  poisoned  here  with  the  volumes  of 
dust  they  have  raised,  but  I  assure  you  the  dust 
was  very  ancient,  peaceful,  quiet  dust,  about  an 
hour  ago,  and  would  have  remained  so  for  a 
hundred  years,  had  not  these  gipsies  disturbed  it,  as 
they  do  everything  else  in  the  world."  x 

Scott  describes  the  early  tastes  and  habits 
of  Oldbuck  when  a  boy,  which  were  in  some 
respects  perhaps  not  unlike  his  own  when  at 
school.2  Though  he  acquired  some  knowledge 
of  the   origin   and   system    of    the   laws    of  his 

*  Chap.  iii.  2  Lockhart's  "Life  of  Scott." 


The  Antiquary  61 

country,  he  could  never  be  persuaded  to  apply 
it  to  lucrative  and  practical  purposes.  It  was 
not  from  any  inconsiderate  neglect  of  the 
advantages  attending  the  possession  of  money 
that  he  thus  deceived  the  hopes  of  his  master  : 

"Were  he  thoughtless,  light-headed,  or  rei  suce 
prodigus  [wasteful  of  his  means],"  said  his  instructor, 
"  I  would  know  what  to  make  of  him.  But  he 
never  pays  away  a  shilling  without  looking  anxiously 
after  the  change,  makes  his  sixpence  go  farther 
than  another  lad's  half-crown,  and  will  ponder  over 
an  old  black  letter  copy  of  the  Acts  of  Parliament 
for  days,  rather  than  go  to  the  golf  or  the  change- 
house  ;  and  yet  he  will  not  bestow  one  of  these  days 
on  a  little  business  of  routine  that  would  put  twenty 
shillings  in  his  pocket — a  strange  mixture  of  fru- 
gality and  industry  and  negligent  indolence — I  don't 
know  what  to  make  of  him."  x 

Although  there  are  some  scenes  of  distress 
and  sorrow  most  ably  described  throughout  the 
story,  it  yet  ends  so  happily  and  satisfactorily 
that  the  reader  cannot  fail  to  be  pleased  and 
gratified,  as  well  as  interested,  by  its  cheerful 
perusal. 

1  Chap.  ii. 


* 


THE   BLACK   DWARF 


CHAPTER    III 
THE    BLACK   DWARF 

'  T  is  remarkable  that  two  men  of  genial 
■*-  and  social  natures  like  Shakespeare  and 
Sir  Walter  Scott  should  yet  have  written  upon 
misanthropy  with  indulgence,  and  made  the 
victims  of  that  dangerous  mental  malady  in- 
teresting at  least,  if  not  attractive.  It  is  true 
that  Shakespeare's  Timon  of  Athens  and  Scott's 
Dwarf,  Elshender,  the  Recluse,  are  neither  of 
them  pure  inventions.  Both  are  to  some 
extent  founded  on  real  characters — the  first  on 
an  Athenian,  of  whom  little  is  recorded  in 
Grecian  history,  and  the  second  on  a  certain 
Scottish  dwarf  named  David  Ritchie,  described 
in  the  preface  to  the  novel. 

Scott  compassionately  writes    of   this    strange 
character  : 

5  65 


66  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

This  poor  man,  whose  misanthropy  was  founded 
in  a  sense  of  his  own  preternatural  deformity,  had 
yet  his  own  particular  enjoyments.  Driven  into 
solitude,  he  became  an  admirer  of  the  beauties  of 
nature.  ...  It  was  perhaps  for  this  reason  that 
he  was  fond  of  Shenstone's  Pastorals  and  some 
parts  of  "  Paradise  Lost."  The  author  has  heard 
his  most  unmusical  voice  repeat  the  celebrated 
description  of  Paradise,  which  he  seemed  fully  to 
appreciate.  .  .  .  His  only  living  favourites  were  a 
dog  and  a  cat,  to  which  he  was  particularly  attached. 

Yet  both  the  Greek  and  the  Scottish  man  of 
reality  were  probably  less  interesting  characters 
than  those  described  in  the  poem  and  the  novel. 
Of  the  Athenian  so  little  is  known  that  an 
opinion  should  hardly  be  hazarded.1  It  is  evi- 
dent that  Ritchie,  as  described  by  Scott,  was 
superior  both  in  sense  and  generosity  to  the 
original  from  whom  the  novelist  takes  him. 

Although  there  may  be  some  resemblance 
between  the  Timon  of  Shakespeare  and  the 
Elshender  of  Scott,  the  latter  is  of  far  "  softer 

1  He  is  mentioned  in  Plutarch's  "  Life  of  Al- 
cibiades "  as  "  famed  for  his  misanthropy,"  and  as 
urging  Alcibiades  to  destroy  Athens  and  ruin  his 
fellow-countrymen. 


The   Black  Dwarf  67 

mould,"  for  despite  his  passionate  abuse  of  the 
whole  human  race  he  retains  not  only  most 
benevolent  feelings,  but  finally  is  the  means  of 
rescuing  the  heroine,  Miss  Vere,  from  a  hated 
marriage.  Like  Timon,  when  calling  his 
steward  Flavius  at  last  "  Thou  singly  honest 
man,"  Elshender  alone  trusts  his  confidential 
agent,  Ratcliffe,  throughout ;  and  this  man 
seems  almost  the  only  link  between  the  recluse 
and  the  outer  world. 

The  scene  of  this  story  is  laid  in  Scotland, 
close  to  the  English  border.  The  plot  is 
slight,  the  whole  story  very  short,  and  from 
a  historical  standpoint  should  have  come  in 
between  Old  Mortality  and  Rob  Roy,  being 
in  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne,  but  no  his- 
torical characters  are  introduced.  The  character 
of  Mr.  Vere,  Laird  of  Ellieslaw,  seems  hardly 
natural.  He  connives  at  his  daughter  being 
carried  off  by  the  robber,  Westburnflat,  intend- 
ing her  to  marry  a  certain  Sir  Frederick 
Langley,  whom  she  had  previously  rejected. 
Veres  whole  conduct  appears  not  only  mean 
and    selfish,     but    vacillating    and    inconsistent. 


68  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

He  was  formerly  the  successful  rival  of  the 
Dwarf,  Sir  Edward  Mauley,  who  recognises  in 
Miss  Vere  a  strong  likeness  to  her  late  mother, 
whom  he  had  once  loved,  and  by  whom  he 
was  rejected. 

The  heroine  is  rather  an  interesting,  though 
not  very  original  character ;  the  hero,  Earns- 
cliff,  though  spirited  and  sensible,  is  seldom 
introduced ;  the  young  man,  Hobbie  Elliott, 
and  the  moss-trooper,  Westburnflat,  are  drawn 
with  great  care,  the  last  especially.  The 
period  being  Queen  Anne's  reign,  and  a  half- 
formed  Jacobite  conspiracy  is  faintly  described, 
which  never  comes  to  maturity.  Although 
Scott  in  "Rob  Roy,"  "Waverley,"  and  "  Red 
Gauntlet"  successively  shows  much  sympathy 
for  the  Jacobites  without  exactly  favouring 
their  cause,  yet  in  this  short  and  comparatively 
unimportant  story  he  rather  ridicules  them,  but 
without  any  bitterness.  A  meeting  of  Jaco- 
bites,1 or  rather  of  some  discontented  people, 
is  held  at  Ellieslaw  Castle  by  Mr.  Vere,  Laird 
of    Ellieslaw,    the   selfish,    mean    father   of    the 

1  Chap.  xiii. 


The  Black  Dwarf  69 

heroine,    Isabella    Vere.      Scott   writes    of    this 
singular  gathering  : 

The  men  of  rank  and  substance  were  not  many 
in  number,  for  almost  all  the  large  proprietors  stood 
aloof,  and  most  of  the  smaller  gentry  and  yeomanry 
were  of  the  Presbyterian  persuasion,  and  therefore, 
however  displeased  with  the  Union,  unwilling  to 
engage  in  a  Jacobite  conspiracy.  But  there  were 
some  gentlemen  of  property  who  either  from  early 
principle,  from  religious  motives,  or  sharing  the 
ambitious  views  of  Ellieslaw,  had  given  counten- 
ance to  his  scheme,  and  there  were  also  some  fiery 
young  men  like  Mareschal,  desirous  of  signalising 
themselves  by  engaging  in  a  dangerous  enterprise, 
by  which  they  hoped  to  vindicate  the  independence 
of  their  country.  The  other  members  of  the  party 
were  persons  of  inferior  rank  and  desperate  fortunes 
who  were  now  ready  to  rise  in  that  part  of  the 
country,  as  they  did  afterwards  in  the  year  1715 
under  Forster  and  Derwentwater,  when  a  troop 
commanded  by  a  Border  gentleman  named  Douglas 
consisted  almost  entirely  of  freebooters,  among 
whom  the  notorious  Luck-in-a-Bag,  as  he  was 
called,  held  a  distinguished  command.  We  think 
it  necessary  to  mention  these  particulars,  applicable 
solely  to  the  province  in  which  our  story  lies, 
because  unquestionably  the  Jacobite  party  in  the 
other  parts  of  the  kingdom  consisted  of  much  more 
formidable,  as  well  as  much  more  respectable, 
materials. 


70  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

Among  the  bolder  or  most  eager  of  these 
Jacobites  Scott  describes  is  the  vehement 
young  Mareschal-Wells.  After  drinking  the 
health  of  King  James  VIII.,  as  his  Scottish 
followers  called  the  elder  Pretender,  or 
James  III.,  as  he  was  termed  by  his  followers 
in  England,  Mareschal  threw  the  glass  back 
over  his  head,  exclaiming  : 

"  It  should  never  be  profaned  by  a  meaner  toast." 

All  followed  his  example,  and,   amid  the  crash  of 

glasses    and    the    shouts    of    the    company,  pledged 

themselves   to  stand   or  fall  with    the  principles    and 

political  interest  which  their  toast  expressed. 

Scott  then,  in  a  rather  sarcastic  spirit, 
describes  the  various  complaints  of  the  com- 
pany at  this  Jacobite  meeting.  Mr.  Vere, 
the  leader, 

addressed  the  company  in  a  style  of  inflammatory 
invective  against  the  Government  and  its  measures, 
but  especially  the  Union ;  a  treaty  by  means  of 
which,  he  affirmed,  Scotland  had  been  at  once 
cheated  of  her  independence,  her  commerce,  and 
her  honour,  and  laid  as  a  fettered  slave  at  the  foot 
of  the  rival  against  whom,  through  such  a  length  of 
ages,  she  had  honourably  defended  her  rights.     This 


The  Black  Dwarf  71 

was   touching   a    theme    which    found    a   responsive 
chord  in  the  bosom  of  every  man  present. 

"Our  commerce  is  destroyed,"  halloed  old  John 
Rewcastle,  a  Jedburgh  smuggler,  from  the  lower  end 
of  the  table. 

"  Our  agriculture  is  ruined,"  said  the  Laird  of 
Broken-girth-flow,  a  territory  which  since  the  days  of 
Adam  had  borne  nothing  but  ling  and  whortleberries. 

"  Our  religion  is  cut  up,  root  and  branch/'  said 
the  pimple-nosed  pastor  of  the  Episcopal  meeting- 
house at  Kirkwhistle. 

"We  shall  shortly  neither  dare  shoot  a  deer  nor 
kiss  a  wench  without  a  certificate  from  the  pres- 
bytery and  kirk  treasurer,"  said  Mareschal- Wells. 

"Or  make  a  brandy  Jeroboam  in  a  frosty 
morning  without  licence  from  a  commissioner  of 
excise,"  said  the  smuggler. 

"  Or  ride  over  the  fell  in  a  moonless  night,"  said 
Westburnflat,  "without  asking  leave  of  young 
Earnscliff  or  some  Englified  justice  of  the  peace." 

Here  Scott  makes  this  desperate  robber 
reveal  sentiments  which  would  hardly  have 
been  avowed  except  by  drunken  ruffians,  yet 
which  prove  Scott's  contempt  for  the  contem- 
plated revolt  : 

"Those  were  gude  days  on  the  Border  when 
there  was  neither  peace  nor  justice  heard  of." 


72  Sir  Walter   Scott  Studied 

The  villains  of  this  book  are  chiefly  on  the 
Jacobite  side,  viz.,  Miss  Veres  treacherous 
father  and  the  odious  Sir  Frederick  Langley, 
from  marrying  whom  Miss  Vere  has  so  narrow 
an  escape. 

The  chief  interest  of  this  pleasing  and 
characteristic  little  story  lies  in  the  misshapen 
figure  and  noble  nature  of  the  Black  Dwarf, 
Elshender,  alias  Sir  Edward  Mauley,  who, 
though  looking  and  speaking  like  an  enemy 
to  mankind,  is  in  fact  the  good  genius  of 
the  book.  Like  Shakespeare's  Richard  III., 
he  often  pathetically  deplores  his  own  de- 
formity, but  though  he  tries  to  harden  his 
heart  against  his  fellow-creatures,  he  cannot  do 
so  with  the  same  success  as  the  Richard  of 
Shakespeare.  The  soliloquies  with  which  Scott 
and  Shakespeare  inspire  their  two  characters 
have  a  certain  resemblance,  though  their  respec- 
tive conduct  is  so  different.     Richard  exclaims : ! 

u  I  that  am  curtailed  of  this  fair  proportion, 
Cheated  of  feature  by  dissembling  Nature, 

1  Act  I. 


The   Black  Dwarf  73 

Deform'd,  unfinished,  sent  before  my  time 

Into  this  breathing  world,  scarce  half  made  up, 

And  that  so  lamely  and  unfashionable 

That  dogs  bark  at  me  as  I  halt  by  them. 

Why,  I,  in  this  weak,  piping  time  of  peace, 

Have  no  delight  to  pass  away  the  time, 

Unless  to  spy  my  shadow  in  the  sun 

And  descant  on  mine  own  deformity  : 

And  therefore,  since  I  cannot  prove  a  lover, 

To  entertain  these  fair,  well-spoken  days, 

I  am  determined  to  prove  a  villain, 

And  hate  the  idle  pleasures  of  these  days." 

Scott's  melancholy  dwarf  reveals  somewhat 
similar  feelings  to  those  of  this  fierce  king  : 

"What  have  my  screech-owl  voice,  my  hideous 
form,  and  my  misshapen  features  to  do  with  the 
fairer  workmanship  of  nature  ?  And  why  should  I 
interest  myself  in  a  race  which  accounts  me  a 
prodigy  and  an  outcast,  and  has  treated  me  as 
such  ?  "  1 

Shakespeare's  Timon  of  Athens  and  Scott's 
Black  Dwarf  alike  seek  in  their  state  of  misan- 
thropy a  delusive  relief  in  utter  solitude — the 
first  completely  hardened  against  all  men,  save 

1  Chap.  vi. 


74  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

one,  by  the  ingratitude  he  has  experienced  ;  the 
latter  by  rejected  love,  together  with  the  dis- 
gust and  ridicule  which  his  bodily  deformity 
generally  inspires.  Yet  both  these  men  at  one 
time  possessed  kind  hearts  and  generous  feel- 
ings. But  Richard  III.'s  misanthropy,  though 
fiercer  and  sterner  with  increasing  age  and 
ambition,  has  apparently  always  been  the 
same.  He  has  no  idea  of  seeking  relief  in 
seclusion ;  the  idea  is  hateful  to  him  ;  on  the 
contrary,  action,  excitement,  even  danger,  are 
welcome  to  one  who  devotes  all  his  bodily  and 
mental  energies  to  the  gratification  of  ambition 
and  revenge. 

Scott's  Elshender,  even  during  fits  of  despair 
and  rage,  never  utterly  forgets  religion  and  his 
God.     Thus  he  exclaims  :  l 

"All  [mankind]  are  of  a  piece — one  mass  of 
wickedness,  selfishness,  and  ingratitude — wretches 
who  sin  even  in  their  devotions,  and  of  such  hard- 
ness of  heart  that  they  do  not,  without  hypocrisy, 
even  thank  the  Deity  Himself  for  His  warm  sun 
and  pure  air." 

1  Chap.  vii. 


The  Black  Dwarf  75 

Shakespeare,  it  is  true,  once,  but  only  once, 
makes  Richard  III.  appeal  to  Jesus  in  bewil- 
dered terror,  when  waking  from  his  last 
dream  before  the  battle  of  Bosworth  : 

"  Have  mercy,  Jesu — Soft !    I   did  but  dream. 
O  coward  conscience,  how  dost  thou  afflict  me  ! " * 

The  Pagan  Timon,  in  his  last  sad  address 
to  his  only  faithful  servant,  Flavius,  certainly 
appeals  to  his  deities,  but  only  as  witnesses 
to  his  emotion,  and  though  with  some  fear 
and  admiration  of  their  superior  powers,  yet 
without  expressing  either  devotion  or  gratitude  : 

"  Forgive  my  general  and  exceptional  rashness, 
You  perpetual  sober  gods  !     I   do  proclaim 
One  honest  man — mistake  me   not — but  one. 
No  more,  I  pray.2 

The  last  words  of  the  Black  Dwarf  to 
Miss  Vere,  after  saving  her  from  marrying 
the  odious  Sir  Frederick  Langley,  beautifully 
express      his      mind,      which      is      noble      and 

Act  V.  2  Act  IV. 


76  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

generous,  though  hopelessly  saddened  by  a 
disappointed  life,  preying  upon  his  naturally 
proud   and   sensitive   spirit : 

Miss  Vere  kneeled  beside  the  tomb  of  her 
mother,  to  whose  statue  her  features  exhibited  a 
marked  resemblance.  She  held  the  hand  of  the 
Dwarf,  which  she  kissed  repeatedly  and  bathed 
with  tears.  He  stood  fixed  and  motionless,  ex- 
cepting that  his  eyes  glanced  alternately  on  the 
marble  figure  and  on  the  living  suppliant.  At 
length  the  large  drops  which  gathered  on  his 
eyelashes  compelled  him  to  draw  his  hand  across 
them. 

"  I  thought,"  he  said,  "  that  tears  and  I  had 
done,  but  we  shed  them  at  our  birth  and  their 
spring  dries  not  until  we  are  in  our  graves.  But 
no  melting  of  this  heart  can  dissolve  my  resolution. 
I  part  here  at  once  and  for  ever,  with  all  of  which 
the  memory"  (looking  at  the  tomb)  "or  the  pres- 
ence "  (he  pressed  Isabella's  hand)  u  is  dear  to  me  ! 
It  will  avail  nothing ;  you  will  hear  of  and  see  this 
lump  of  deformity  no  more.  To  you  I  shall  be 
dead  ere  I  am  actually  in  my  grave,  and  you  will 
think  of  me  as  a  friend  disencumbered  from  the 
toils  and   crimes  of  existence." 

It  is  evident,  however,  that  all  through  this 
story  the  sentiments  and  actions   of  the    Black 


The  Black  Dwarf  77 

Dwarf  are  quite  at  variance.  He  storms  and 
rages  at  human  nature  generally,  while  he 
strives  to  benefit,  and  even  morally  improve, 
all  whom  he  knows.  Even  the  reckless  robber, 
Westburnflat,  he  tries  to  wean  from  his  crimes, 
while  to  Miss  Vere  and  the  Elliots  he  is  both 
a  friend  and  benefactor  : 

"  So,"  said  the  Dwarf,  "  rapine  and  murder  again 
on  horseback." 

"  On  horseback  ? "  said  the  bandit.  "  Ay,  ay, 
Elshie ;  your  leech-craft  has  set  me  on  the  bonny 
bay  again." 

"And  all  those  promises  of  amendment  which 
you  made  during  illness  forgotten  ? "  continued 
Elshender. 

"All  clear  away  with  the  water-saps  and  panada," 
replied  the  unabashed  convalescent.  "  Ye  ken, 
Elshie,  for  they  say  ye  are  well  acquaint  with  the 
gentleman — 

When   the   devil   was  sick,  the  devil  a  monk  would 

be  ; 
When  the   devil   was   well,   the  devil    a    monk  was 

he."  * 

That     a     man     retaining     so     many    human 

1  Chap.  vi. 


78  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

sympathies  as  the  Black  Dwarf  should 
voluntarily  lead  a  life  of  utter  seclusion, 
when  not  bound  by  any  religious  vow,  seems 
scarcely  probable,  though  such  a  judge  of 
human  nature  as  Scott  would  not  have  so 
described  him  unless  he  knew  of  similar 
instances  either  within  his  own  experience  or 
that  of  others  whose  statements  he  could 
trust. 


THE   HEART    OF    MIDLOTHIAN 


CHAPTER   IV 
THE  HEART  OF  MIDLOTHIAN 

THIS  simple  yet  powerfully  written  story 
is,  like  "  The  Antiquary,"  one  of  Scottish 
domestic  life,  the  scene  being  chiefly  in 
Scotland,  though  a  few  chapters  refer  to  the 
south  of  England.  It  is  not  entirely  a  work 
of  fiction,  the  heroine,  Jeanie  Deans,  having 
had  her  original  in  a  certain  Helen  Walker. 
Though  there  is  some  resemblance  between 
them,  little  seems  known  of  Helen,  except 
that  she  actually  obtained  her  innocent  sister's 
pardon  for  alleged  child  murder  from  Queen 
Caroline,  wife  of  George  II.,  having  walked 
from  Scotland  to  London  for  that  purpose. 
Her  sister,  Isabella  Walker,  is  slightly  men- 
tioned in  the  notes,  but  nothing  is  said  of 
her    bearing    any     resemblance     to     the     Effie 


3l 


82  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

Deans  of  the  novel.  All  the  other  characters, 
except  the  noble  Duke  of  Argyll  and  the 
cruel  Captain  Porteous,  are  imaginary,  though 
described  in  Scott's  most  effective  manner. 

Of  all  Scott's  heroines,  Jeanie  Deans  is 
apparently  his  favourite,  as  he  himself  calls 
her  so,  which  he  never  does  in  any  other 
instance.  She  is,  indeed,  an  admirable  and 
superior  character  ;  her  courageous  piety, 
simplicity,  good  sense,  and  deep  affection 
combine  to  make  her  such  ;  for  her  whole 
conduct  towards  all  she  knows — father,  sister, 
lover,  friends,  and  enemies — comes  as  near  the 
ideal  standard  of  moral  duty  as  human  nature 
is  perhaps  capable  of.  Her  old  Presbyterian 
father,  David  Deans,  seems  rather  a  greater 
favourite  with  Scott  than  he  deserves,  for 
though  a  conscientious,  worthy  man,  he  is 
self-righteous  and  obstinate  to  a  provoking 
degree.  His  neighbour,  the  widow  Butler, 
is  the  mother  of  Reuben,  the  future  hero  of  the 
story,  who  has  just  become  a  minister  of  the 
Kirk  of  Scotland.  She  makes  an  amusing  mis- 
take when  exulting  in  her  son's   good  fortune, 


The  Heart  of  Midlothian  83 

and  thus  grievously  offends  and  shocks  the 
old  sincere  and  zealous  but  ignorant  theologian, 
David  Deans.     Mrs.   Butler  says  of  her  son  : 

u  He  can  wag  his  head  in  a  pulpit  now,  neibor 
Deans,  think  but  o'  that — my  ain  oe — and  a'body 
maun  sit  still  and  listen  to  him,  as  if  he  were  the 
Paip  o'  Rome," 

"  The  what  ? — the  who  ? — woman  ! "  said  Deans, 
with  a  sternness  far  beyond  his  usual  gravity,  as 
soon  as  these  offensive  words  had  struck  upon  the 
tympanum  of  his  ear. 

"  Eh,  guide  us  ! "  said  the  poor  woman  ;  "  I  had 
forgot  what  an  ill  will  ye  had  aye  at  the  Paip,  and 
sae  had  my  puir  gudeman,  Stephen  Butler.  Mony 
an  afternoon  he  wad  sit  and  take  up  his  testimony 
again  the  Paip,  and  again  baptising  o'  bairns,  and 
the  like." 

"  Woman  !  "  reiterated  Deans,  "  either  speak  about 
what  ye  ken  something  o',  or  be  silent."  ■ 

Only  those  few  who  share  his  own 
theological  views,  which  are  certainly  not 
derived  from  education,  possess  his  confidence 
or  good  opinion.  When  old  Deans  is  urged 
by  a  neighbour  named  Saddletree  to  employ 
a  skilful  lawyer  to  defend  his  accused  daughter 

1  Chap.  viii. 


84  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

Effie,    he    objects     to    one     after     another     as 
follows  : 


"  What  say  ye  to  the  old  Laird  of  Cuffabout  ? 
He  whiles  thumps  the  dust  out  of  a  case  gay 
and   weel." 

"  He  ?  the  fause  loon  !  "  answered  Deans — "  he 
was  in  his  bandaliers  to  hae  joined  the  ungracious 
Highlanders  in  1715." 

"  Weel,  Arniston  ?  there's  a  clever  chield  for  ye ! " 

"  Ay,  to  bring  Popish  medals  in  till  their  very 
library  from  that  schismatic  woman  in  the  north, 
the  Duchess  of  Gordon." 

"  What  d'  think  ye  of  Kettlepunt  ?  " 

"  He's  an  Arminian." 

"  Woodsetter  ?  " 

"  He's,  I  doubt,  Cocceian." 

"Auld  Whilliewhaw  ?  " 

"  He's  anything  ye  like." 

"Young  Nemo  ! " 

"  He's  naething  at  a'." 

"Ye're  ill  to  please,  neighbour.  .  .  .  What  say  ye 
to  try  young  Mackenzie  ?" 

"  What,  sir  ;  wad  ye  speak  to  me,"  exclaimed  the 
sturdy  Presbyterian  in  excessive  wrath,  "about  a 
man  that  has  the  blood  of  the  saints  at  his 
fingers'  ends  ?  If  the  life  o'  the  dear  bairn  that's 
under  a  suffering  dispensation,  and  Jeanie's,  my  ain, 
and    a'    mankind's    depended   on    my   asking   sic    a 


The   Heart  of  Midlothian  87 

singular  attraction,  at  least  for  some  imaginative 
people. 

This  novel  opens  with  the  Edinburgh  riot 
and  execution  of  Captain  Porteous  by  the  mob 
— an  historical  event  which  is  described  in  a 
most  interesting  and  graphic  manner.  There 
seems,  however,  no  real  connection,  though  the 
novelist  mingles  them  together,  between  this 
strange  outbreak  and  the  interesting  historical 
tale  of  Helen  Walker.  The  lover  of  Isabella 
Walker,  the  Effie  Deans  of  the  novel,  was 
named  Waugh,  but  Scott  merely  mentions  him. 
The  whole  story  of  George  Staunton  and  the 
Murdocksons,  mother  and  daughter,  is  also 
apparently  Scott's  invention.  The  sketch  of  the 
stern  Captain  Porteous,  however,  is  evidently 
historical,  as  well  as  the  extraordinary  coolness, 
self-restraint,  and  determination  of  the  Edin- 
burgh mob.  This  man,  Captain  of  the  City 
Guard  in  Edinburgh,  had  ordered  his  men  to 
fire  upon  a  band  of  stone-throwers  in  that 
city  during  the  execution  of  a  robber  named 
Wilson.  This  man  had  some  popular  sym- 
pathy and    many  redeeming  qualities,    and   was 


88  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

never  convicted  for  murder  or  of  trying  to 
commit  it : 

Porteous  [Scott  writes]  was  wrought  by  this  appear- 
ance of  insurrection  against  his  authority  into  a  rage 
so  headlong  as  made  him  forget  that,  the  sentence 
having  been  fully  executed,  it  was  his  duty  not  to 
engage  in  hostilities  with  the  misguided  multitude,  but 
to  draw  off  his  men  as  fast  as  possible.  He  sprung 
from  the  scaffold,  snatched  a  musket  from  one  of  his 
soldiers,  commanded  the  party  to  give  fire,  and,  as 
several  witnesses  concurred  in  swearing,  set  them  an 
example  by  discharging  his  piece  and  shooting  a 
man  dead  on  the  spot.  Several  soldiers  obeyed  his 
commands  and  followed  his  example,  six  or  seven 
persons  were  slain,  and  a  great  many  were  hurt 
and  wounded.1 

For  this  outrage  Porteous  himself  was  sentenced 
to  execution,  to  which  many  people  looked  for- 
ward as  an  act  of  justice,  when,  to  the  general 
surprise,  a  pardon  or  respite  was  granted  to  the 
condemned  man,  which  thus  disappointed  the 
hopes  of  his  many  enemies  in  Edinburgh  of 
seeing  him  publicly  executed.  But,  as  Scott 
writes  2  : 

1  Chap.  iii.  2  Chap.  iv. 


The  Heart  of  Midlothian  89 

The  mob  of  Edinburgh  when  thoroughly  excited 
had  been  at  all  times  one  of  the  fiercest  which  could 
be  found  in  Europe, 


and  they  resolved,  therefore,  to  carry  out  the 
sentence  on  Porteous  themselves.  They  suc- 
ceeded in  doing  so,  and  the  wretched  man 
was  executed  by  the  mob  instead  of  by  the 
Government  officials.  This  outrage,  if  such 
it  can  be  called,  since  Porteous  legally  de- 
served his  fate,  was  conducted  or  committed, 
Scott  relates,  in  a  calm,  orderly,  resolute  manner, 
without  any  attempt  at  violence  or  plunder. 
The  Edinburgh  mob,  despite  the  fierceness 
Scott  attributes  to  them,  would  seem  on  this 
extraordinary  occasion  to  have  quietly  sub- 
stituted themselves  for  the  legal  executioners 
and  executed  their  guilty  though  pardoned 
victim  in  strict  accord  with  the  laws  actually 
existing. 

Scott  makes  George  Staunton,  calling  himself 
Geordie  Robertson,  Effie  Deans'  lover,  lead  the 
rioters,  but  escape  the  consequences.  He  was, 
however,    hotly    pursued    by    an    eager    police- 


go  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

officer,  Mr.  Sharpitlaw,  whose  name  somewhat 
expresses  his  character,  unwillingly  aided,  or 
rather  accompanied,  by  James  Ratcliffe,  nick- 
named Jim  the  Rat,  a  former  thief,  but  now 
transformed  into  a  jailer.  But,  though  tolerably 
trustworthy  in  his  new  profession,  he  has  no  wish 
to  really  aid  in  capturing  young  Robertson,  with 
whom  he  had  been  slightly  intimate  in  some 
wild  frolics  formerly.  When  Sharpitlaw  first 
hints  his  design  of  capturing  Robertson  with 
the  help  of  Ratcliffe  and  others,  the  two  thief- 
catchers  eye  each  other  for  a  little  time  in 
silence.  Here  Scott  reveals,  as  he  often  does, 
his  love  and  knowledge  of  dogs  in  the  following 
amusing  comparison  : 

They  sat  for  five  minutes  silent,  on  opposite  sides  of 
a  small  table,  and  looked  fixedly  at  each  other,  with  a 
sharp,  knowing,  and  alert  cast  of  countenance,  not  un- 
mingled  with  an  inclination  to  laugh,  and  resembled 
more  than  anything  else  two  dogs  who,  preparing  for 
a  game  of  romps,  are  seen  to  couch  down  and  remain 
in  that  posture  for  a  little  time  watching  each  other's 
movements  and  waiting  which  shall  begin  the  game.1 

1  Chap.  xvi. 


The  Heart  of  Midlothian  91 

This  "game"  in  the  novel  leads  to  Sharpitlaw 
and  Ratcliffe,  with  assistants,  trying  to  capture 
Robertson.1  They  take  Madge  Wildfire  with 
them,  but  she  has  no  idea  of  their  real  purpose, 
while  Ratcliffe  on  their  way,  hating  to  arrest 
Robertson,  craftily  tempts  her  to  sing  some 
songs,  as  if  in  warning  from  danger.  She  then 
unwittingly  sings  three,  describing  birds,  animals, 
and  men  alike  chasing  each  other  for  their  lives  : 

When  the  glede's  (kite)  in  the  blue  cloud 

The  lavrock  (lark)  lies  still, 
When  the  hound's  in  the  greenwood 

The  hind  keeps  the  hill. 

The  third  unconscious  warning  alarms  Robert- 
son, being  more  directly  applicable  to  his  own 
case  : 

O  sleep  ye  sound,  Sir  James,  she  said, 

When  ye  sulci  rise  and  ride  : 
There's  twenty  men,  wi'  bow  and  blade, 

Are  seeking  where  ye  hide. 

The    fugitive    Staunton,    alias    Robertson,    then 

1  Chap.  xvii. 


g2  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

takes  the  alarm  and  makes  his  escape  from  his 
eager  pursuers. 

Staunton  is  the  only  son  of  a  worthy  English 
clergyman.  He  is  a  wild,  dissipated,  handsome 
youth,  though  possessing  some  generous  quali- 
ties. His  reckless,  yet  not  ungenerous  character 
is  thus  mentioned  by  an  old  servant  of  his  father  : 

"  Tis  a  pity  on  Measter  George  too,  for  he  has  an 
open  hand,  and  winna  let  a  poor  body  want,  an  he 
has  it." 

And  here  Scott  thoughtfully  observes  : 

The  virtue  of  profuse  generosity,  by  which,  indeed, 
they  themselves  are  most  directly  advantaged,  is 
readily  admitted  by  the  vulgar  as  a  cloak  for  many 
sins.1 

He  has  an  illegitimate  child  by  his  nurse's 
daughter,  Madge,  whose  mother,  Meg  Mur- 
dockson,  destroys  it  to  conceal  her  daughter's 
shame.  After  the  murder  poor  Madge  is  in- 
sane,  and  she  with  her  wicked  mother  become 

1  Chap,  xxxiv. 


The  Heart  of  Midlothian  93 

the  associates  of  the  highway  robbers,  Frank 
Levitt  and  Tyburn  Tom.  Young  Staunton, 
after  deserting  Madge,  seduces  Effie  Deans,  by 
whom  he  has  a  son,  who  is  stolen  directly  after 
his  birth  by  the  vindictive  hag,  Meg  Murdockson, 
in  revenge  for  her  daughter's  desertion ;  and 
general  suspicion  is  then  directed  against  the 
unfortunate  Effie  of  having  either  murdered  or 
secretly  made  away  with  her  stolen  child.  The 
chief  interest  of  the  story  is  centred  in  the 
extraordinary  trial  of  Effie  Deans  for  supposed 
child-murder,  her  strange  conviction,  without 
any  proof  of  guilt,  and  her  heroic  sister's 
dangerous  journey  to  London,  where,  through 
the  influence  of  the  Duke  of  Argyll,  she  in 
the  novel  sees  Oueen  Caroline,  and  obtains 
Effie's  pardon  for  a  crime  of  which  she  is 
innocent. 

According  to  the  Scottish  law  at  this  period 
it  would  seem  that  concealment  of  childbirth  was 
the  great  point  against  the  accused  Effie  Deans. 
Thus  when  her  half-sister,  Jeanie,  resolved  to 
speak  the  truth  at  whatever  cost,  is  asked  in 
the  Court   if  her  sister  ever   revealed  her  con- 


94  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

dition,    she    with    sorrowful    firmness   can    only 
reply  : 

"  Alack !  alack !  she  never  breathed  word  to  me 
about  it." 

Then  follows  Scott's  description  of  this 
pathetic   scene   at   the    trial : 

A  deep  groan  passed  through  the  Court.  It  was 
echoed  by  one  deeper  and  more  agonised  from  the 
unfortunate  father.  The  hope  to  which  unconsciously, 
and  in  spite  of  himself,  he  had  still  secretly  clung  had 
now  dissolved,  and  the  venerable  old  man  fell  forward 
senseless  on  the  floor  of  the  Court  House,  with  his  head 
at  the  foot  of  his  terrified  daughter.  The  unfortunate 
prisoner,  with  impotent  passion,  strove  with  the  guards 
between  whom  she  was  placed.  "  Let  me  gang  to  my 
father — I  will  gang  to  him — I  will  gang  to  him — he  is 
dead — he  is  killed — I  hae  killed  him  ! "  she  repeated,  in 
frenzied  tones  of  grief  which  those  who  heard  them 
did  not  speedily  forget.  Even  in  this  moment  of 
agony  and  general  confusion  Jeanie  did  not  lose  that 
superiority  which  a  deep  and  firm  mind  assures  to  its 
possessor  under  the  most  trying  circumstances.  "  He 
is  my  father — he  is  our  father,"  she  mildly  repeated 
to  those  who  endeavoured  to  separate  them,  as  she 
stooped,  shaded  aside  his  grey  hairs,  and  began 
assiduously  to  chafe  his  temples.1 

1  Chap,  xxiii. 


The  Heart  of  Midlothian  95 

Soon  after  this  pathetic  scene,  when  Jeanie 
knew  her  sister  was  sentenced  to  death,  she 
resolved  at  all  risks  to  obtain  Effie's  pardon. 
She  asks  some  neighbours  if  the  Kimj  can 
grant  mercy,  and  they  remind  her  of  the  royal 
pardon  granted  to  Porteous  and  some  other 
condemned  persons.  Jeanie's  heroic  spirit  is 
immediately  roused  to  the  utmost,  and,  confiding 
her  old  afflicted  father  to  the  care  of  Mrs. 
Saddletree,  a  friendly  neighbour,  she  resolves 
on  her  London  journey,  but,  inspired  by  that 
strong  religious  spirit  which  Scott  ascribes  to 
this  his  favourite  heroine,  and  which  was  cer- 
tainly shown  by  her  prototype,  Helen  Walker, 
she  knelt  down  by  her  father's  bedside,  ex- 
claiming : 


"  O  father,  gie  me  ye're  blessing.  I  dare  not  go 
till  ye  bless  me.  Say  but  'God  bless  and  prosper 
ye,  Jeanie  ! ' — try  but  to  say  that." 

Instinctively,  rather  than  by  an  exertion  of 
intellect,  the  old  man  murmured  a  prayer  that 
"  purchased  and  promised  blessings  might  be  mul- 
tiplied upon  her." 

11  He  has  blessed  mine  errand,"   said  his  daughter, 


g6  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

rising  from  her  knees ;    "  and   it  is  borne   in   upon 
my  mind  that  I  shall  prosper."  x 


Scott,  who  amid  all  his  sad  or  sublime  pas- 
ages  often  likes  to  divert  himself  and  his 
readers  by  comic  sketches,  represents  worthy 
Mrs.  Saddletree,  not  yet  knowing  Jeanies 
plan,  looking  after  her  and  exclaiming  to 
herself : 

"  I  wish  she  binna  raving,  poor  thing.  There's 
something  queer  about  a'  thae  Deanses.  I  dinna  like 
folk  to  be  sae  muckle  better  than  other  folk,  seldom 
gude  comes  o't.  But  if  she's  gaun  to  look  after 
the  kye  at  St.  Leonard's,  that's  another  story ;  to 
be  sure,  they  maun  be  sorted.  Grizzie,  come  up 
here  and  take  tent  o'  the  auld  man  and  see  he 
wants  for  naething.  Ye  silly  tawpie"  (address- 
ing the  maid-servant  as  she  entered),  "what  garr'd 
ye  busk  up  ye're  cockernony  that  gate  ?  I  think 
there's  been  eneugh  the  day  to  gie  an  awfu' 
warning  about  ye're  cockups  and  ye're  fallal  duds. 
See  what  they  a'  come  to,"  &c. 

Jeanie  visits  her  condemned  sister  in  prison, 
where    the   jailer,     Jum    Ratcliffe,      a     former 

1  Chap.  xxv. 


The   Heart  of  Midlothian  97 

thief,  is  now  a  watchman  over  mutinous  thieves 
and  other  convicts.  This  man  is  a  strange 
mixture  of  evil  and  good,  or  rather  redeeming 
qualities,  and  even  his  rough  unscrupulous 
nature  does  not  prevent  his  sympathising 
with  these  afflicted  and  interesting  sisters. 
He  tries  to  comfort  them  by  saying  how  he 
himself  escaped  once  from  jail,  but  will  not 
say  how,  when  Jeanie  heroically  exclaims  : 

"  My  sister  shall  come  out  in  the  face  of  the  sun. 
I  will  go  to  London  and  beg  her  pardon  from 
the  King  and  Queen.  If  they  pardoned  Porteous, 
they  may  pardon  her ;  if  a  sister  asks  a  sister's 
life  on  her  bended  knees,  they  will  pardon  her, 
they  shall  pardon  her — and  they  will  win  a 
thousand  hearts  by  it." 

She  hastens  away  from  her  sister,  followed 
by  Ratcliffe,  who  admiring  her  brave  spirit, 
exclaims,  though  not  without  his  familiar 
oaths  : 

"  D n  me,  I  respect   you    and    I    can't   help    it. 

You   have   so    much    spunk   that,    d n    me,  but   I 

think   there's     some     chance    of    your    carrying    the 

7 


g  8  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

day.  But  you  must  not  go  to  the  King  till  you 
have  made  some  friend ;  try  the  Duke,  try  Mac- 
Callummore,  he's  Scotland's  friend." 

Jeanie  here  ascertains  that  this  Duke  of 
Argyll  is  nearly  related  to  a  former  Duke, 
who  had  been  executed  during  what  she 
terms  the  "  persecution "  of  the  Whig  Party. 
Ratcliffe,  who,  despite  all  his  past  rogueries, 
retains  some  right  feeling,  then  gives  her  a 
pass,  if  she  should  meet  with  thieves  on  the 
road,  saying : 

"  Deil  ane  o'  them  will  touch  an  acquaintance 
o'  Daddie  Ratton's  [himself]  ;  for  though  I  am  re- 
tired from  public  practice,  yet  they  ken  I  can  do 
a  good  or  an  ill  turn  yet.  .  .  .  And  now  away  wi' 
ye  and  stick  to  Argyll ;  if  anybody  can  do  the  job 
it  maun  be  him." 

Jeanie  Deans,  on  her  journey  to  London, 
is  captured  in  England  by  Levitt  and  Tyburn 
Tom  and  taken  by  them  to  an  old  barn  where 
the  hag  Murdockson  and  her  daughter  Madge 
are   together.1      Levitt   tells    Tom    that  he  had 

1  Chap.  xxx. 


The   Heart  of  Midlothian  99 

promised  old  Meg  to  intercept  Jeanie  and 
make  her  return  to  Scotland,  Meg  having 
heard  of  her  journey's  object  and  spitefully- 
wishing  all  harm  to  her  daughter's  rival,  Effie 
Deans.  Jeanie,  while  trying  or  pretending  to 
sleep,  overhears  some  talk  between  Meg  and 
Levitt,  the  former  dreading  lest  Effie  should 
escape  and  marry  Staunton,  and  having  ap- 
parently some  strange  lingering  notion  that 
this  young  profligate,  once  her  nursling,  may 
yet  marry  or  in  some  way  make  amends  to 
her  unfortunate  daughter  Madge.  Jeanie 
overhears  the  robber  Levitt  ask  the  old  hag 
her  reasons  for  interfering  with  her  journey 
to  London,  and  Meg  offering  him  more  and 
more  drink,  he  refuses,  exclaiming  : 

"  No,   no  !     When  a  woman  wants  mischief   from 
you,  she  always  begins  by  filling  you  drunk." 

Then  reveals  Jeanie's  real  object  in  going  to 
London,  adding  that  if  Jeanie  succeeds  in  it 
young  Staunton  may  likely  marry  her  rescued 
sister,     Effie     Deans.       Levitt,    a    bold     coarse 


ioo  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

ruffian,     though     not     without     some    touch    of 
humanity,    answers  : 

"  Who  cares  if  he  does  ?  " 

and  the  old  woman  fiercely  replies  : 

"  Who  cares,  ye  donnard  Neddie  ?  /  care,  and 
I  will  strangle  her  with  my  own  hands  rather  than 
she  should  come  to  Madge's  preferment." 

Levitt  scornfully  exclaims,  naturally  enough: 

"  Madge's  preferment  ?  Does  your  old  blind  eyes 
see  no  farther  than  that  ?  If  he  is  as  you  say, 
d'ye  think  he'll  ever  marry  a  mooncalf  like  Madge  ? 
Ecod,  that's  a  good  one — marry  Madge  Wildfire — 
Ha,  ha,  ha  !  " 

"  Hark  ye,  ye  crack-rope  padder,  born  beggar, 
and  bred  thief,"  replied  the  hag,  "suppose  he 
never  marries  the  wench,  is  that  a  reason  he 
should  marry  another,  and  that  other  to  hold  my 
daughter's  place,  and  she  crazed,  and  I  a  beggar, 
and  all  along  of  him  ?  " 

Then,    alluding    to    Robertson's    guilt    in    the 
Porteous   execution,    she    continues  : 


The  Heart  of  Midlothian  101 

"  But  I  know  that  of  him  will  hang  him — I  know 
that  of  him  will  hang  him,  if  he  had  a  thousand 
lives.  I  know  that  of  him  will  hang — hang — hang 
him  !  " 

Levitt  coolly  retorts  with  the  natural  question  : 

"  Then  why  don't  you  hang — hang — hang  him  ? 
There  would  be  more  sense  in  that  than  in  wreaking 
yourself  here  upon  two  w7enches  that  have  done  you 
and  your  daughter  no  ill." 

"  No  ill,"  answered  the  old  woman,  "  and  he  to 
marry  this  jail-bird,  if  ever  she  gets  her  foot  loose  ?" 

"  But  as  there  is  no  chance  of  his  marrying  a 
bird  of  your  brood,  I  cannot,  for  my  soul,  see  what 
you  have  to  do  with  all  this,"  again  replied  the 
robber,  shrugging  his  shoulders. 

The  old  woman  repeats    she  longs  for  revenge, 
and  Levitt  says,  after  a  pause  : 

"  If  revenge  is  your  wish,  you  should  take  it  on 
the  young  fellow  himself." 

To    these    words  old   Mesr  makes  a  remarkable 

o 

answer,  revealing  for  the  first  time  some  touch 
of  human  feeling,  if  not  affection  : 


102  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

u  I  wish  I  could,"  she  said,  drawing  in  her  breath 
with  the  eagerness  of  a  thirsty  person,  while 
mimicking  the  action  of  drinking ;  "  I  wish  I  could  ! 
but  no,  I  cannot — I  cannot  1 " 

Levitt,  who  cannot  understand  these,  to  him, 
strange  scruples  of  the  old  nurse,  replies  : 

"  And  why  not  ?  You  would  think  little  of 
peaching  and  hanging  him  for  this  Scotch  affair. 
Rat  me,  one  might  have  milled  the  Bank  of  Eng- 
land and  less  noise  about  it." 

"  I  have  nursed  him  at  this  withered  breast," 
answered  the  old  woman,  folding  her  hands  on  her 
bosom  as  if  pressing  an  infant  to  it,  "  and  though 
he  has  proved  an  adder  to  me — though  he  has  been 
the  destruction  of  me  and  mine — though  he  has  made 
me  company  for  the  devil,  if  there  be  a  devil,  and 
food  for  hell,  if  there  be  such  a  place,  yet  I  cannot 
take  his  life.  No,  I  cannot,"  she  continued,  with  an 
appearance  of  rage  against  herself ;  "  I  have  thought 
of  it,  I  have  tried  it.  But,  Francis  Levitt,  I  canna 
gang  through  wi't.  Na,  na — he  was  the  first  bairn  I 
ever  nurst — ill  I  had  been — and  man  can  never  ken 
what  woman  feels  for  the  bairn  she  has  held  first 
to  her  bosom." 

Levitt  naturally  replies  : 

"To  be  sure,  we  have  no  experience." 


The  Heart  of  Midlothian  103 

The  scene  between  the  Duke  of  Argyll  and 
Jeanie  in  London  must  be  partly  true,  though 
probably  no  details  of  his  real  interview  with 
Helen  Walker  have  been  preserved.  The 
admiration  of  Scott  for  the  Duke  of  Argyll 
and  his  family  rather  contradicts  the  idea  that 
the  novelist  favours  Jacobitism.  He  writes 
the  following  noble  description  of  this  Duke, 
whom  the  novelist  evidently  thinks  a  model 
for  his  distinguished  class.1 


He  was  alike  free  from  the  ordinary  vices  of 
statesmen,  falsehood,  namely,  and  dissimulation,  and 
from  those  of  warriors,  inordinate  and  violent  thirst 
after  self-aggrandisement.  Scotland,  his  native 
country,  stood  at  this  time  in  a  very  precarious 
and  doubtful  situation.  She  was  indeed  united  to 
England,  but  the  cement  had  not  had  time  to 
acquire  consistence.  .  .  .  Scotland  had,  besides, 
the  disadvantage  of  being  divided  into  intestine 
factions  which  hated  each  other  bitterly,  and  waited 
but  for  a  signal  to  break  forth  into  action.  In 
such  circumstances,  another  man  with  the  talents 
and  rank  of  Argyll,  but  without  a  mind  so  happily 
regulated,     would    have    sought    to    rise    from     the 

1  Chap.  xxxv. 


104  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

earth    in    the    whirlwind    and    direct    its   fury.      He 
chose  a  course  more  safe  and  honourable. 

Soaring  above  the  petty  distinctions  of  faction, 
his  voice  was  raised,  whether  in  office  or  in 
opposition,  for  those  measures  which  were  at 
once  just  and  lenient.  His  high  military  talents 
enabled  him,  during  the  memorable  year  1715,  to 
render  such  services  to  the  House  of  Hanover  as 
perhaps  were  too  great  to  be  either  acknowledged 
or  repaid.  He  had  employed,  too,  his  utmost  influence 
in  softening  the  consequences  of  that  insurrection  to 
the  unfortunate  gentlemen  whom  a  mistaken  sense 
of  loyalty  had  engaged  in  the  affair,  and  was  rewarded 
by  the  esteem  and  affection  of  his  country  in  an 
uncommon  degree.  .  .  .  But  he  was  not  a  favourite 
with  George  II.,  his  consort,  or  his  ministers. 

The  Duke's  interview  with  Jeanie  Deans 
was  apparently  historical,  and  though  this 
interesting"  conversation  is  doubtless  in  Scott's 
own  words,  they  must,  at  least  to  some  extent, 
express  what  really  took  place,  under  the 
peculiar  circumstances  of  this  extraordinary 
scene.  The  Duke,  perceiving  her  shyness  or 
embarrassment  at  first,  says  : 

"  Just  speak  out  a  plain  tale  and  show  you  have 
a  Scotch  tongue  in  your  head." 


The  Heart  of  Midlothian  105 

Jeanie,  re-assured,   then  replies  : 

u  Sir,  I  am  muckle  obliged  !  Sir,  I  am  the  sister 
of  that  poor  unfortunate  criminal,  Effie  Deans,  who 
is  ordered  for  execution  at  Edinburgh." 

"Ah!"  said  the  Duke,  "I  have  heard  of  that 
unhappy  story,  I  think — a  case  of  child  murder,  under 
a  special  act  of  parliament — Duncan  Forbes  mentioned 
it  at  dinner  the  other  day." 

The  Duke,  after  hearing  her  account,  ap- 
points her  to  accompany  him  in  a  day  or  two 
to  the  Queen's  presence.  Jeanie's  interview 
with  Queen  Caroline,  in  the  presence  of  the 
Duke  of  Argyll,  her  eloquence  in  pleading  for 
her  sister's  life,  and  the  kindness  of  the 
Queen,1  is  perhaps  the  most  pleasing  scene 
in  the  whole  novel.  Though  this  scene  is 
apparently  Scott's  invention,  its  purpose  and 
result  seem  historically  true.2 

1  Chap,  xxxvii. 

2  The  late  Dean  Stanley  ("  Memorials  of  West- 
mi  nster  Abbey  ")  thus  mentions  the  Queen  and  Scott's 
description  in  this  novel :  "  Queen  Caroline  (consort 
of  George  II.),  the  most   discriminating  patroness  of 


106  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

Scott  writes,  recalling  the  energetic  French 
Queen,  Margaret  of  Anjou,  wife  of  the  peace- 
ful king,   Henry  VI.  : 

Since  Margaret  of  Anjou  no  Queen-consort  had 
exercised  such  weight  in  the  political  affairs  of 
England,  and  the  personal  address  which  she  dis- 
played on  many  occasions  had  no  small  share  in 
reclaiming  from  their  political  heresy  many  of  those 
determined  Tories,  who,  after  the  reign  of  the 
Stewarts  had  been  extinguished  in  the  person  of 
Queen  Anne,  were  disposed  rather  to  transfer  their 
allegiance  to  her  brother,  the  Chevalier  St.  George, 
than  to  acquiesce  in  the  settlement  of  the  Crown  on 
the  Hanover  family. 

Introduced  to  the  Queen's  presence  by  the 
patriotic,  influential  Argyll,  Jeanie  thus  con- 
cludes her  pathetic  entreaty  to  the  Queen  to 
spare  her  condemned  sister's  life  : 

" .  .  .  When  the  hour  of  trouble  comes  to  the 
mind  or  to  the  body — and  seldom  may  it  visit  your 


learning  and  philosophy  that  down  to  that  time  had 
ever  graced  the  throne  of  England,  endeared  to 
every  reader  of  the  master-works  of  historical 
fiction  by  her  appearance  in  'The  Heart  of  Mid- 
lothian.' " 


The  Heart  of  Midlothian  107 

Leddyship — and  when  the  hour  of  death  comes, 
that  comes  to  high  and  low — lang  and  late  may  it 
be  yours! — O,  my  Leddy,  then  it  isna  what  we  hae 
dune  for  oursells,  but  what  we  hae  dune  for  others, 
that  we  think  on  maist  pleasantly.  And  the  thought 
that  ye  have  intervened  to  spare  the  puir  thing's 
life  will  be  sweeter  in  that  hour,  come  when  it  may, 
than  if  a  word  of  your  mouth  could  hang  the  haill 
Porteous  mob  at  the  tail  of  ae  tow." 

Tear  followed  tear  down  Jeanie's  cheek  as,  her 
features  glowing  and  quivering  with  emotion,  she 
pleaded  her  sister's  cause  with  a  pathos  which  was 
at  once  simple  and  solemn. 

"  This  is  eloquence,"  said  her  Majesty  to  the 
Duke  of  Argyll.  "Young  woman,"  she  continued, 
addressing  herself  to  Jeanie,  "I  cannot  grant  a 
pardon  to  your  sister,  but  you  shall  not  want  my 
warm   intercession   with   his   Majesty." 


This  assurance,  as  Argyll  knows  and  says, 
is  equivalent  to  a  free  pardon  from  the 
King. 

The  hero  of  this  novel,  Reuben  Butler,  a 
quiet,  sensible  country  schoolmaster,  seems 
hardly  worthy  of  Jeanie  Deans,  and  is  an  in- 
vention of  Scott's,  as  the  real  Jeanie  (Helen 
Walker)  never  married. 


108  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

Scott  describes  the  kind  Duke  of  Argyll 
entertaining  at  his  hunting  lodge  in  Scotland 
Jeanie,  her  father,  David  Deans,  and  young 
Reuben  Butler,  previous  to  the  latter's  ap- 
pointment as  a  minister  of  the  Kirk  of  Scot- 
land at  Knocktarlitie.  On  this  gratifying 
occasion,    when    drinking   the    Duke's   health  : 

David  Deans  himself  added  perhaps  the  first  huzza 
that  his  lungs  had  ever  uttered  to  swell  the  shout 
with  which  the  pledge  was  received.  Nay,  so 
exalted  in  heart  was  he  upon  this  memorable 
occasion,  and  so  much  disposed  to  be  indulgent, 
that  he  expressed  no  dissatisfaction  when  three 
bagpipers   struck   up    "  The   Campbells  are  coming." 

The  health  of  the  reverend  minister  at  Knock- 
tarlitie was  received  with  similar  honours,  and 
there  was  a  roar  of  laughter  when  one  of  his 
brethren  slyly  subjoined  the  addition  of  "  A  good 
wife   to   our  brother,   to   keep   the    Manse  in    order." 

On  this  occasion  David  Deans  was  delivered  of 
his  first-born  joke,  and  apparently  the  parturition 
was  accompanied  with  many  throes,  for  sorely  did 
he  twist  about  his  physiognomy  and  much  did  he 
stumble  in  his  speech  before  he  could  express  his 
idea  "  That  the  lad  being  now  wedded  to  his 
spiritual  bride,  it  was  hard  to  threaten  him  with 
ane   temporal   spouse   in    the   same   day."     He   then 


The   Heart  of  Midlothian  iog 

laughed  a  hoarse  and  brief  laugh,  and  was  sud- 
denly grave  and  silent,  as  if  abashed  at  his  own 
vivacious   effort.1 


One  very  sad  episode  in  this  interesting 
story  painfully  affects  all  readers  of  sense  and 
feeling — the  wanton  murder  of  the  harmless 
maniac,  Madge  Wildfire,  by  the  brutal  mob 
at  Carlisle.  These  people  think  the  poor  mad- 
woman is  a  witch,  and  therefore  try  to  drown 
her;  and  though  she  is  rescued  from  them  at 
the  time,  she  dies  from  the  effects  of  their 
brutality. 

Jeanie  visits  her  in  the  workhouse.  Madge 
does  not  recognise  her,  while  with  her  last 
breath  she  sings  several  songs,  all  disconnected, 
yet  each  beautifully  pathetic.  Of  these, 
perhaps,  the  following  lines  are  the  most  im- 
pressive and  affecting  : 

"  When  the  fight  of  grace  is  fought, 
When  the  marriage-vest  is  wrought, 
When  Faith  hath  chased  cold  Doubt  away 
And  Hope  but  sickens  at  delay — 

1  Chap.    xlvi. 


no  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

"When  Charity,  imprisoned  here, 
Longs  for  a  more  expanded  sphere, 
Doff  thy  robes  of  sin  and  clay : 
Christian,  rise,  and  come  away."1 

This  sad  case,  it  is  to  be  feared,  is  no  in- 
vention, though  the  character  of  Madge  Wild- 
fire may  be  so  ;  for  it  is  a  fact  that  absurd 
and  intense  horror  of  supposed  witchcraft  long 
influenced  some  of  the  English  and  many  of 
the  Scottish  peasantry.2 

One  of  the  most  exciting  scenes  in  this  novel  is 
the  strange  interview  between  Jeanie  and  George 
Staunton,  her  sister's  lover,  at  Muschat's  Cairn, 
where  he  threatens  her  life  if  she  refuses  to 
swear  a  falsehood  to  save  her  accused  sister. 
It  is  here  that  Jeanie  first  displays  that  high 
courage    which,    united    with    strong    common- 

1  Chap.  xl. 

2  The  last  execution  for  witchcraft  in  the  British 
Empire  took  place  in  Presbyterian  Scotland.  The 
associated  Presbytery  in  1736  left  a  solemn  protest 
against  the  repeal  of  the  laws  against  witchcraft 
(Lecky's  "  England  in  the  Eighteenth  Century," 
vol.   ii.). 


The  Heart  of  Midlothian 


in 


sense  and  warm  affections,  makes  her  so 
superior  and  interesting  a  character.  In  a 
previous  interview  with  Reuben  Butler,  young 
Staunton,  who,  though  reckless  and  dissipated, 
retains  some  noble  qualities,  is  described  in  a 
very  singular  manner.  The  popular  supersti- 
tion of  a  fiend  assuming  an  attractive  human 
form  evidently  strikes  Scott's  fancy,  as  he 
again  mentions  it  in  "  Nigel,"  in  the  case  of 
the  treacherous  Lord  Dalgarno,  who  has  much 
more  of  the  fiend  in  him  than  young  Staunton, 
being  a  thoroughly  base  character.  Staunton 
vehemently  tells  Butler,  who  asks  who  he  is, 
that  he  is  the  devil — an  admission  which 
effectually  confounds  the  young  schoolmaster  : 

.  .  .  Was  this  indeed  the  Roaring  Lion,  who 
goeth  about  seeking  whom  he  may  devour  ?  This 
was  a  question  which  pressed  itself  on  Butler's 
mind  with  an  earnestness  that  cannot  be  conceived 
by  those  who  live  in  the  present  day.  The  fiery 
eye,  the  abrupt  demeanour,  the  occasionally  harsh, 
yet  studiously  subdued  tone  of  voice  ;  the  features, 
handsome,  but  now  clouded  with  pride,  now  dis- 
turbed with  suspicion,  now  inflamed  with  passion  ; 
those  dark   hazel   eyes   which   he   sometimes   shaded 


H2  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

with  his  cap,  as  if  he  were  averse  to  have  them 
seen  while  they  were  occupied  with  keenly  observ- 
ing the  motions  and  bearing  of  others  ;  those  eyes 
that  were  now  turbid  with  melancholy,  now  gleam- 
ing with  scorn,  and  now  sparkling  with  fury — was 
it  the  passions  of  a  mere  mortal  they  expressed,  or 
the  emotions  of  a  fiend  who  seeks,  and  seeks  in 
vain,  to  conceal  his  fiendish  designs  under  the 
borrowed  mask  of  manly  beauty  ?  The  whole  par- 
took of  the  mien,  language,  and  port  of  the  ruined 
Archangel. x 

Later  on2  this  profligate,  yet  not  ungenerous, 
young  man  writes  to  Jeanie  when  on  her  journey 
to  London,  tempting  her  to  give  him  up  to  justice 
for  his  share  in  the  death  of  Captain  Porteous, 
if  his  betrayal  would  save  her  sister,  ending 
his  letter  in  these  urgent,  emphatic  words  : 

"...  Go  then  to  the  Duke  of  Argyll,  and  when 
other  arguments  fail  you,  tell  him  you  have  it  in 
your  power  to  bring  to  condign  punishment  the 
most  active  conspirator  in  the  Porteous  mob.  He 
will  hear  you  on  this  topic,  should'  he  be  deaf  to 
every  other.  Make  your  own  terms,  for  they  will 
be  at  your  own  making.  You  know  where  I  am 
to  be  found.  ...  I    need    not    remind    you    to   ask 

1  Chap.   xi.  2  Chap,   xxxiv. 


The  Heart  of  Midlothian  113 

your  sister's  life,  for  that  you  will  do  of  course; 
but  make  terms  of  advantage  for  yourself.  Ask 
wealth  and  reward — office  and  income  for  Butler 
— ask  anything — you  will  get  anything — and  all  for 
delivering  to  the  hands  of  the  executioner  a  man 
most  deserving  of  his  office — one  who,  though 
young  in  years,  is  old  in  wickedness,  and  whose 
most  earnest  desire  is,  after  the  storms  of  an 
unquiet   life,   to   sleep   and   be   at   rest." 


Jeanie  soon  destroys  "  this  extraordinary 
letter,"  and,  after  obtaining  her  sister's  pardon, 
writes  to  Staunton,1  telling  him  of  her  success, 
and  that  she  has  never  mentioned  him.  She 
signs  her  short  letter  wTith  her  usual  cautious 
commonsense,  remembering  Staunton's  danger- 
ous position  : 

"Ye   ken   wha." 

It  is  remarked  by  Sir  Archibald  Alison  in 
his  brief  notice'  of  Scott's  works  2  that  he  cared 
little  for  the  pathetic  ;  but   when  he  does  write 

1  Chap,  xxxix. 

2  "  History   of   Europe,"   vol.  i. 

8 


ii4  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

in  that  strain,  few  if  any  writers  can  surely 
equal  him  in  beauty  of  expression  or  intensity 
and  purity  of  thought.  One  of  the  most 
moving  scenes  in  this  excellent  novel  is  when 
Jeanie,  after  her  sister's  condemnation,  deter- 
mines to  go  to  London  to  plead  for  her  life 
at  a  moment  when  her  aged  father,  broken 
down  and  stupefied  by  distress  of  mind,  gives 
no  assistance,  and  she  is  left  entirely  to  the 
guidance  of  her  own  firm,  resolute  spirit.  The 
character  of  Efiie  Deans  is  evidently  Scott's 
invention,  as  he  gives  few  particulars  of  her 
prototype,  Isabella  Walker,  but  the  little  that 
is  known  or  said  of  Helen  in  the  preface 
closely  resembles  the  Jeanie  of  the  novel ;  the 
same  courage  and  prudence  are  shown  even 
in  the  few  recorded  details.  Scott  had  heard l 
that  when  Helen  was  asked  by  any  neighbours 
about  her  London  journey,  "she  aye  turned 
the  conversation,"  which  quite  accords  with 
the  remarkable  modesty  and  good  sense  of 
Jeanie  herself. 

In  chapter  xxxviii.    Walter    Scott   makes  the 
1  Introduction. 


The  Heart  of  Midlothian  115 

following    interesting,  if   not    valuable,    remarks 
on  the  Scottish  character  generally  : 

Perhaps  one  ought  to  be  actually  a  Scotsman  to 
conceive  how  ardently,  under  all  distinctions  of  rank 
and  situation,  they  feel  their  mutual  connection  with 
each  other  as  natives  of  the  same  country.  There  are, 
I  believe,  more  associations  common  to  the  inhabi- 
tants of  a  rude  and  wild,  than  of  a  well-cultivated  and 
fertile  country  ;  their  ancestors  have  more  seldom 
changed  their  place  of  residence  ;  their  mutual 
recollection  of  remarkable  objects  is  more  accurate  ; 
the  high  and  the  low  are  more  interested  in  each 
others  welfare  ;  the  feelings  of  kindred  and  relation- 
ship are  more  widely  extended,  and,  in  a  word,  the 
bonds  of  patriotic  affection,  always  honourable,  even 
when  a  little  too  exclusively  strained,  have  more 
influence  on  men's  feelings  and  actions. 

Towards  the  end  of  the  story  it  is  not  easy 
to  recognise,  in  the  cold,  listless,  affected  Lady 
Staunton,  the  timid  and  passionate  Effie  of 
younger  days  ;  and,  indeed,  this  change  is  hardly 
natural,  if  possible,  and  is  perhaps  the  most 
unsatisfactory  part  of  the  book.  The  wild  life 
and  character  of  her  son  is  also  entirely  Scott's 
invention. 


n6  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

The  sketch  of  the  kind  and  sagacious  Queen 
Caroline  is,  doubtless,  founded  on  Scott's 
accurate  knowledge  of  history,  and  is  amply 
confirmed  by  recent  historians. 

Although  Scott,  in  the  true  spirit  of  a  novelist, 
makes  Jeanie  marry  the  man  of  her  choice  and 
have  a  flourishing  family,  he  states  that  the  real 
Jeanie,  Helen  Walker,  died  unmarried,  in 
obscure  poverty,  upon  which  circumstance  he 
makes  this  beautiful  and  characteristic  reflection  : 

That  a  character  so  distinguished  for  her  undaunted 
love  of  virtue  lived  and  died  in  poverty,  if  not  want, 
serves  only  to  show  us  how  insignificant  in  the  sight 
of  Heaven  are  our  principal  objects  of  ambition  upon 
earth.1 


1  Preface  to  "  Heart  of  Midlothian." 


THE   BRIDE   OF   LAMMERMOOR 


CHAPTER   V 

THE  BRIDE   OF  LAMMERMOOR 

^T^HIS  beautiful  tragedy  is  in  its  chief  inci- 
■*■  dents,  though  only  to  some  extent, 
founded  on  fact,  as  avowed  in  the  preface.  Yet 
so  little  is  known  of  the  individual  characters  of 
the  story  that  Scott  may  almost  claim  the  merit 
of  conceiving  as   well  as  describing  them. 

Edgar  Ravenswood  is  one  of  the  most  interest- 
ing of  Scott's  heroes,  while  Lucy  Ashton  is 
certainly  one  of  his  most  attractive  and  pleasing 
heroines.  While  the  leading  incidents  of  this 
tale  are  founded  on  real  events  occurring  in  the 
Scottish  families  of  Lord  Rutherford  (the  original 
of  Ravenswood)  and  Lord  Stair  (Sir  William 
Ashton),  the  enmity  between  the  Ravenswood 
and    Ashton    families,    and    the    love    of    their 

descendants   for   each   other,   much  resemble   in 

119 


120  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

feeling  and  sentiment  Shakespeare's  affecting 
tragedy  of  "  Romeo  and  Juliet."  This  pathetic 
story  was  evidently  often  in  Scott's  mind  when 
writing  this  novel,  as  some  chapters  are  headed 
with  quotations  from  it.  Yet  though  Lucy 
Ashton  and  her  stern  mother  to  some  extent 
resemble  Lady  Capulet  and  Juliet,  Ravenswood 
himself  resembles  Hamlet  in  some  respects  as 
much  as  Romeo,  though  situated  more  like  the 
latter.  Lady  Ashton  is  intimated  by  Scott  to 
resemble  the  celebrated  Sarah,  Duchess  of 
Marlborough,  and  her  conduct  in  the  story  to 
be  founded  on  that  of  Lady  Stair,  while  "the 
mean-spirited  and  tricky  "  Sir  William  Ashton 
is  specially  declared  to  bear  no  resemblance  to 
the  eminent  lawyer,  Lord  Stair,  except  probably 
in  legal  knowledge  and  acuteness.  Yet  Lady 
Ashton  seems  more  consistent  and  determined 
than  the  impetuous  Lady  Marlborough,  whose 
imprudent  vehemence  finally  exhausted  the 
patience  of  her  indulgent  Sovereign  and  friend, 
Queen  Anne,  and  caused  her  expulsion  from 
the  English  Court.1 

1  Macaulay's  "  History  of  England." 


The   Bride  of  Lammermoor  121 

The  character  of  Bucklaw,  whom  Lucy 
Ashton  is  forced  by  her  mother  to  marry,  bears 
no  certain  resemblance  to  the  Laird  of  Baldoon, 
the  Bucklaw  of  reality  ;  and  all  the  other 
characters  in  this  story  are  pure  inventions, 
save  that  of  the  old  woman,  Ailsie  Gourlay, 
who  had  her  prototype  in  Scottish  history.  Of 
these  inventions  the  most  striking  perhaps  is 
Caleb  Balderstone,  the  faithful  old  servant  of 
Ravenswood,  whose  constant  efforts  to  conceal 
his  ruined  young  master's  poverty  are  half  amus- 
ing and  half  sad,  as  they  would  certainly  have 
been  in  real  life.  Colonel  Douglas  Ashton,  the 
worthy  son  of  his  haughty,  implacable  mother, 
is  not  unlike  Shakespeare's  Tybalt  in  "  Romeo 
and  Juliet,"  though  he  is  not  introduced  till  the 
end  of  the  book,  when  he  challenges  Ravens- 
wood  to  a  duel.  Bucklaw,  though  rash  and 
thoughtless,  is  rather  amiable  and  well-disposed 
than  otherwise.  At  the  beginning  of  the  story 
Ravenswood  and  Lucy  are  first  introduced  by 
his  saving  her  father's  life  and  her  own  from  the 
attack  of  a  savage  bull.  This  event  naturally 
causes   a   further   acquaintance,  though    entirely 


122  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

of  Sir  William  Ashton's  seeking,  during  his 
wife's  absence,  for  by  this  lady  he  is  com- 
pletely overruled.  It  is  at  this  time  that 
Ravenswood  and  Lucy  exchange  love-tokens  by 
the  Mermaiden's  Well  in  Ravenswood  Park, 
now  belonging  to  the  Ashtons. 

In  this  whole  story  Scott  rather  inclines  to 
dwell  upon  the  marvellous,  and  to  make  gloomy 
prophecies  come  true,  without  positively  stating 
his  belief  in  any  such  mysterious  influences  in 
human  affairs.  This  Mermaiden's  Well,  where 
Ravenswood  and  Lucy  exchange  vows  of  fidelity 
and  "broke  betwix  them"  a  piece  of  gold,  which 
each  keeps  as  a  pledge  from  the  other,  was  once 
the  scene  of  a  beautiful  and  sad  fairy  legend, 
evidently  Scott's  invention,  which,  however,  en- 
hances the  charm  and  interest  of  the  interview 
between  the  lovers. 

This  interesting  scene1  is  beautifully  expressed, 
at  least  to  musical  people,  in  the  pathetic  duet, 
"  Sulla  tomba  che  rinserra  il  tradito  genitore,"  in 
Donizetti's  delightful  opera,  "  Lucia  di  Lammer- 
moor."    In  this  scene  Ravenswood  states  to  Lucy 

1  Chap.  xx. 


The  Bride  of  Lammermoor  123 

Ashton  his  father's  wrongs  at  the  hands  of  her 
family,  and  the  terrible  oath  of  vengeance  which 
he  had  sworn  against  them.     He  exclaims  : 

"  In  the  evening  which  succeeded  my  poor  father's 
funeral,  I  cut  a  lock  from  my  hair,  and,  as  it  consumed 
in  the  fire,  I  swore  that  my  rage  and  revenge  should 
pursue  his  enemies  until  they  shrivelled  before  me 
like  that  scorched-up  symbol  of  annihilation." 

"  It  was  a  deadly  sin,"  said  Lucy,  turning  pale, 
"to  make  a  vow  so  fatal." 

u  I  acknowledge  it,"  said  Ravenswood,  "  and  it  had 
been  a  worse  crime  to  keep  it.  It  was  for  your  sake 
that  I  abjured  those  purposes  of  vengeance." 

The  previous  warnings  of  the  two  faithful  old 
servants  of  the  ruined  Ravenswood  family — 
Caleb  and  blind  Alice  Gray — are  almost  enough 
to  convince  the  reader  that  misfortune  is  in  store 
for  the  young  lovers.  The  old  woman,  loyal  to 
the  Ravenswood  family  yet  grateful  to  Lucy 
Ashton  for  personal  kindness,  warns  Ravens- 
wood against  the  Ashtons,  when  visiting  her 
cottage,  and  accidentally  drops  a  piece  of  gold 
he  was  giving  her  on  the  ground. 

"  Let  it  remain  an  instant  on  the  ground,"  said 
Alice,    "  and   believe   me,   that   piece   of    gold   is   an 


124  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

emblem  of  her  whom  you  love  ;  she  is  as  precious,  I 
grant,  but  you  must  stoop  even  to  abasement  before 
you  can  win  her."  z 

Caleb  vainly  implores  his  master  never  to 
visit  his  patrimonial  estate  while  belonging  to 
the  Ashtons.  When  in  his  ancestral  castle 2 
as  a  mere  visitor,  Ravenswood  see  portraits  of 
the  Ashton  family,  all  more  or  less  unpleasing, 
replacing  those  of  his  own  ancestors. 

"And  it  is  to  make  room  for  such  scarecrows  as 
these,"  thought  Ravenswood,  "  that  my  ancestors  have 
been  torn  down  from  the  walls  which  they  erected." 

When  Lucy  appears,  however,  Scott  thus 
beautifully  describes  the  immediate  change  in 
Ravenswood's  feelings  : 

The  grace  of  her  manner  and  of  her  smile  cleared, 
with  a  celerity  which  surprised  the  Master  [of  Ravens- 
wood]  himself,  all  the  gloomy  and  unfavourable 
thoughts  which  had  for  some  time  overclouded  his 
fancy  .  .  .  and  while  he  gazed  on  Lucy  Ashton,  she 
seemed  to  be  an  angel  descended  on  earth,  unallied  to 
the  coarser  mortals  among  whom  she  deigned  to  dwell 

1  Chap.  xix.  2  Chap,  xviii. 


The   Bride  of  Lammermoor  125 

for   a   season.     Such  is  the  power  of  beauty  over  a 
youthful  and  enthusiastic  fancy. 


Thus  Ravenswood  overcomes,  at  least  for  a 
time,  that  hereditary  hatred  towards  the  Ashton 
family  which  had  hitherto  been  his  ruling  passion, 
owing  to  his  sudden  and  ardent  attachment  to 
Lucy,  and  disregards  all  the  warnings  and 
alarming  prophecies  of  old  Caleb.  Caleb  repeats 
the  following  gloomy  prophecy  to  young  Ravens- 
wood,  to  dissuade  him  from  visiting  his  father's 
castle  while  in  possession  of  his  enemies  : 

"  When   the  last   Laird   of  Ravenswood  to  Ravens- 
wood  shall  ride, 
And  woo  a  dead  maiden  to  be  his  bride, 
He  shall  stable  his  steed  in  the  Kelpie's  flow, 
And  his  name  shall  be  lost  for  evermoe." 

His  young  master,  however,  persists  in  riding 
there  with  Sir  William  Ashton  and  his  daughter. 
Balderstone,  looking  eagerly  after  them,  exclaims : 

11  Close  to  her  bridle-rein — ay,  close  to  her  bridle- 
rein.  Wisely  saith  the  holy  man.  By  this  also  you 
may  know  that  woman  hath  power  over  all  men,  and 


126  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 


without  this  lass   would   not   our  ruin  be  altogether 
fulfilled."  " 


The  return  of  Lady  Ashton  about  this  time 
changes  the  whole  course  of  the  story,  and  she 
expels  Ravenswood  immediately  from  his  ances- 
tral castle.  He  departs  full  of  anger  and  shame, 
and  rides  on  his  way  by  the  Mermaiden's  Well. 
Here  he  perceives  a  white  figure  resembling  old 
Alice  Gray,  which  instantly  disappears,  and 
Ravenswood,  hastening  to  her  cottage,  finds 
that  she  has  just  expired.  In  this  instance 
Scott  carefully  avoids  confessing  any  belief  in 
those  supernatural  apparitions  which  he  yet 
takes  evident  and  peculiar  delight  in  describing 
with  such  force  and  beauty. 

The  striking  conversation  which  follows 
between  Ravenswood  and  the  old  sexton 
reminds  the  readers  somewhat  of  the  scene 
in  "  Hamlet "  between  the  hero  and  the  grave- 
diggers,  a  quotation  from  which  is  prefixed  to 
this  chapter. 

This  sexton,  a  cunning,  thankless  fellow,  not 

1  Chap,  xviii. 


The  Bride  of  Lammermoor  127 

recognising  Ravenswood,  freely  blames  the 
imprudence  of  the  latter's  unfortunate  ancestors, 
under  whom  he  had  lived  in  comfort,  though  now, 
like  all  the  Ravenswood  tenantry,  he  is  under 
the  griping  lawyer,  Sir  William  Ashton.  The 
sexton,1  alluding  to  Ravenswood's  father,  says, 
engrossed  by  his  own  personal  troubles  while 
utterly  ignoring  those  of  his  unfortunate  former 
landlord  : 

"  He  loot  his  affairs  gang  to  the  dogs  and  let  in  this 
Sir  William  Ashton  on  us,  that  will  gie  naething  for 
naething,  and  just  removed  me  and  a'  the  puir  creatures 
that  had  bite  and  soup  in  the  Castle  and  a  hole  to  put 
our  heads  in  when  things  were  in  the  auld  way." 

Upon  hearing  this  Edgar  Ravenswood 
naturally  remarks  : 

"  If  Lord  Ravenswood  protected  his  people,  my 
friend,  while  he  had  the  means  of  doing  so,  I  think 
they  might  spare  his  memory." 

"  Ye  are  welcome  to  your  ain  opinion,  sir,"  said  the 
sexton,  u  but  ye  winna  persuade  me  that  he  did  his 
duty   either  to   himsel'   or    to    his    poor    dependent 

1  Chap.  xxiv. 


128  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

creatures,  in  guiding  us  the  gate  he  has  done,  he 
might  hae  gi'en  us  life-rent  tacks  o'  our  bits  of  houses 
and  yards  ;  and  me,  that's  an  auld  man,  living  in  yon 
miserable  cabin,  that's  fitter  for  the  dead  than  the 
quick,  and  killed  wi'  rheumatise  ;  and  John  Smith,  in 
my  dainty  bit  mailing  and  his  window  glazen,  and  a' 
because  Ravenswood  guided  his  gear  like  a  fule." 

"  It  is  but  too  true,"  said  Ravenswood,  conscience 
struck  ;  "  the  penalties  of  extravagance  extend  far 
beyond  the  prodigal's  own  sufferings."1 

A  remarkable  part  of  the  story  is  where 
Lady  Ashton  employs  old  Ailsie  Gourlay,  sup- 
posed by  some  to  be  a  witch,  but  who  is  a 
malignant,  cunning  impostor,  nominally  to  nurse 
Lucy  Ashton,  but  really  to  frighten  her,  by 
stones  and  prophecies  about  the  Ravenswood 
family,  into  breaking  her  engagement  with 
Edgar  Ravenswood : 

Dame  Gourlay's  tales  were  at  first  of  a  mild 
and  interesting  character.  Gradually,  however,  they 
assumed  a  darker  and  more  mysterious  character, 
and  became  such  as,  told  by  the  midnight  lamp,  and 
enforced  by  the  tremulous  tone,  the  quivering  and 
livid    lip,    the    uplifted    skinny    forefinger,    and    the 

1  Chap.  xxiv. 


The  Bride  of  Lammermoor  129 

shaking  head  of  the  blue-eyed  hag,  might  have 
appalled  a  less  credulous  imagination  in  an  age 
more  hard  of  belief.  The  old  Sycorax  saw  her 
advantage,  and  gradually  narrowed  her  magic  circle 
around  the  devoted  victim  on  whose  spirit  she 
practised.1 

But  Lady  Ashton  mistakes  her  daughter's 
character  throughout,  while  calling  her  scorn- 
fully "her  Lammermoor  shepherdess."  Like 
many  harsh  persons,  she  mistakes  gentleness 
and  mildness  for  weakness  or  stupidity,  and 
really  expected  that  Ailsie's  stories  would  soon 
frighten  her  from  desiring  any  connection  with 
the  Ravenswood  family,  and  that  then  she 
would  readily  consent  to  marry  Bucklaw.  Yet 
Lucy,  though  mild  and  yielding,  possesses 
strong  and  deep  affections  ;  she  is  equally 
unlike  her  mean,  tricky  father,  or  her  stern, 
vindictive  mother.  In  the  beginning  of  this 
novel 2  Lucy's  father  hears  her,  while  unseen, 
sing  a  song  which,  though  short,  is  beautifully 
expressive  of  her  character  and  natural  dis- 
position. 

1  Chap.  xxxi.  2  Chap.  iii. 

9 


130  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

Scott,  whose  taste  in  music  apparently  differs 
from  that  of  most  people,  who  at  operas  and 
concerts  like  to  see  as  well  as  to  hear  the 
vocalists,  writes  : 

.  .  .  Music  when  the  performers  are  concealed 
affects  us  with  a  pleasure  mingled  with  surprise,  and 
reminds  us  of  the  natural  concert  of  birds  among 
the  leafy  bowers.  The  statesman,  though  little 
accustomed  to  give  way  to  emotions  of  this  simple 
and  natural  class,  was  still  a  man  and  a  father.  He 
stopped  therefore  and  listened  while  the  silver  tones 
of  Lucy  Ashton's  voice  mingled  with  the  accom- 
paniment in  an  ancient  air,  to  which  some  one  had 
adapted  the  following  words  : 

"  Look  not  thou  on  beauty's  charming, — 
Sit  thou  still  when  kings  are  arming, — 
Taste  not  when  the  wine-cup  glistens, — 
Speak  not  when  the  people  listens, — 
Stop  thine  ear  against  the  singer, — 
From  the  red  gold  keep  thy  finger, — 
Vacant  heart  and  hand  and  eye, — 
Easy  live  and  quiet  die." 

In  pathetic  explanation  of  these  simple  ideas, 
very  inconsistent  with  those  of  the  heroine  of  a 
future  Italian  opera,  Scott  adds  : 


The  Bride  of  Lammermoor  131 

Lucy's  sentiments  seemed  chill  because  nothing 
had  occurred  to  interest  or  awaken  them.  Her  life 
had  hitherto  flowed  on  in  a  uniform  and  gentle  tenor, 
and  happy  for  her  had  not  its  present  smoothness  of 
current  resembled  that  of  the  stream  as  it  glides 
downwards  to  the  waterfall.1 


This  beautiful  comparison  may  somewhat 
prepare  readers  for  the  future  events  in  this 
pathetic  tragedy.  The  effect  of  mental  per- 
secution and  terror  upon  her  certainly  banishes 
all  idea  of  marrying  Ravenswood,  but  with  his 
abandonment  her  reason  also  disappears,  and 
thus  she  becomes  the  victim  of  those  who  do 
not,  and  perhaps  could  not,  understand  her 
docile,  yet  devoted  and  sensitive  nature. 

The  old  woman,  Ailsie  Gourlay,  with  two 
others  as  artful  and  malignant  as  herself,  often 
remind  the  reader,  notwithstanding  their  Scottish 
accent  and  low  habits,  of  the  three  witches  in 
" Macbeth,"  whom  they  resemble  in  many  re- 
spects, except  in  being  thoroughly  human  in 
the  worst  sense  of  the  term.  Ravenswood  over- 
hears   the    following     "  uncanny "    conversation 

1  Chap.  iii. 


132  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

between  these  three  old  hags  directly  after 
Alice  Gray's  death  : 

"...  The  very  deil  has  turned  as  hard-hearted 
now  as  the  Lord  Keeper  [Sir  William  Ashton],  and 
the  grit  folk  that  hae  breasts  like  whin-stane.  They 
prick  us  and  they  pine  us,  and  they  put  us  on  the 
pennywinkles  for  witches,  and  if  I  say  my  prayers 
backwards  ten  times  Satan  will  never  gie  me  amends 
o'  them." 

"  Did  ye  ever  see  the  foul  thief  ? "  asked  her 
neighbour. 

"  Na  ! "  replied  the  other  spokeswoman,  "  but  I 
trow  I  hae  dreamed  o'  him  many  a  time,  and  I 
think  the  day  will  come  they  will  burn  me  for  't. 
But  ne'er  mind,  cummer,  we  hae  this  dollar  o'  the 
Master's  [Ravenswood's],  and  we'll  send  down  for 
bread,  and  for  yill,  tobacco,  and  a  drap  brandy  to 
burn,  and  a  wee  pickle  saft  sugar,  and  be  there 
deil  or  nae  deil,  lass,  we'll  hae  a  merry  night  o't'."1 

Shakespeare's  visionary  creations  in  "  Macbeth  " 
seem,  indeed,  malevolent  enough,  yet  they 
inspire  more  interest  and  wonder  than  actual 
detestation.  But  Scott's  three  earthly  witches 
are  merely  cunning,  malevolent  old  women 

"hated  of  all  and  hating," 

1  Chap,  xxiii. 


The  Bride  of  Lammermoor  133 

for  which,  indeed,  they  are  to  be  pitied  as  well 
as  detested.  It  is  clear  that  in  these  wretched 
instances  Scott  describes  a  class  of  persons,  at 
one  time  influential  and  dangerous  among  the 
Scottish  peasantry,  who,  by  pretended  skill  in 
prophesying  and  fortune-telling,  incurred  at 
once  the  fear  and  hatred  of  those  on  whose 
ignorant  credulity  they  imposed  for  their  own 
miserable  subsistence. 

It  is,  of  course,  deplorable  to  read  in  the 
pages  of  Scott  himself,  Hallam,  Lecky,  and 
other  historians,  of  the  awful  cruelties  upon 
these  wretched  impostors,  who,  odious  and 
wicked  as  most  of  them  were,  could  not  help 
being  innocent  of  the  impossible  guilt  of  witch- 
craft, at  least  according  to  modern  ideas.  For 
it  appears,  both  from  Scott's  novels  and  his 
work  upon  witchcraft,  as  well  as  from  his- 
torical evidence,1  that  in  Scotland  alleged 
witchcraft  was  far  more  believed  in,  and  per- 
sons accused  of  it  punished  with  far  greater 
cruelty,  than  in  England,  while    in   Ireland  this 

1  See  Hallam's  "  Constitutional  History/'  Buckle's 
"  Civilisation,"  and  Lecky's  "  Rationalism." 


134  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

singular  superstition  appears    to    have  been  less 
known. 

Yet  at  one  period  of  Christian  history  belief  in 
witchcraft  animated  even  learned  men  of  most 
denominations,  and  the  celebrated  German  re- 
former, Luther  himself,  could  not  get  rid  of  the 
idea,  and  actually  sanctioned  the  burning  of  all 
witches,  or  rather  of  those  who  appeared  to  be 
so,  on  what  must  have  been  unsatisfactory 
evidence.  How,  notwithstanding  its  fearful 
penalty,  even  the  most  malignant  and  degraded 
human  beings  dared  incur  suspicion  of  witch- 
craft, as  so  many  actually  did,  is  only  explicable 
by  remembering  the  intense  love  of  power  in 
some  persons,  which  this  strange  imposture  was 
sure  to  gratify  for  a  time.  Yet,  though  the  cruel, 
punishments  inflicted  on  alleged  witches  were 
wholly  unjustifiable,  and  are  now  acknowledged 
so  in  all  civilised  countries,  many  of  these  unfor- 
tunate victims  were  by  no  means  injured  inno- 
cents. On  the  contrary,  some,  if  not  most  of 
them,  appear  to  have  been  either  guilty  or  at 
least  capable  of  almost  every  crime  except  that 
for  which  they  suffered.     Scott  writes  : 


The   Bride  of  Lammermoor  135 

"  I  find  it  mentioned  in  the  articles  of  dittay 
against  Eilsie  Gourlay  .  .  .  that  she  had  by  the  aid 
and  delusions  of  Satan  shown  to  a  young  person 
of  quality  in  a  mirror  glass  a  gentleman  then  abroad 
to  whom  the  said  young  person  was  betrothed  and 
who  appeared  in  the  vision  to  be  in  the  act  of 
bestowing  his  hand  upon  another  lady."  z 

The  most  striking  and  dramatic  event  in  this 
beautiful  novel  is  the  sudden  return  of  Ravens- 
wood,  and  his  denunciation  of  the  Ashtons  at 
the  marriage  of  his  affianced  bride  with  Bucklaw. 
This  scene  is  founded  on  the  real  story,  though 
amplified  and  rendered  most  exciting  by  such 
a  hand  as  Scott's.  He  carefully  records  the 
curious  Scriptural  quotation  with  which  the  real 
as  well  as  the  imaginary  Lady  Ashton  repelled 
the  reproaches  of  the  unfortunate  lover.  In  the 
novel  a  worthy  Presbyterian  clergyman,  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Bide-the-Bent,  is  asked  by  Lady  Ashton  to 
read  loud  to  Ravenswood  a  Scriptural  passage 

"  from  the  Levitical  law  which  declares  a  woman 
shall  be  free  of  a  vow  which  her  parents  dissent 
from," 

1  Chap.  xxxi. 


136  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

to  justify  her  daughter  breaking  off  her  engage- 
ment to  him.  On  hearing  this  Ravenswood  ex- 
claims1 with  indignation,  and  "  looking  towards 
Lucy  : " 

"  And  is  this  all  ?  .  .  .  Are  you  willing  to  barter 
sworn  faith,  the  exercise  of  free  will  and  the  feelings 
of  mutual  affection  to  this  wretched  hypocritical 
sophistry  ?  " 

"  Hear  him  ! "  said  Lady  Ashton,  looking  to  the 
clergyman.     "  Hear  the  blasphemer  !  " 

"  May  God  forgive  him,"  said  Bide-the-Bent,  "  and 
enlighten  his  ignorance." 

"  Hear  what  I  have  sacrificed  for  you,"  said 
Ravenswood,  still  addressing  Lucy,  "ere  you  sanc- 
tion what  has  been  done  in  your  name.  The 
honour  of  an  ancient  family,  the  urgent  advice  of 
my  best  friends,  have  been  in  vain  used  to  sway  my 
resolution  ;  neither  the  arguments  of  reason,  nor  the 
portents  of  superstition,  have  shaken  my  fidelity.  Are 
you  prepared  to  pierce  my  heart  for  its  fidelity,  with 
the  very  weapon  which  my  rash  confidence  entrusted 
to  your  grasp  ?  " 

Upon  the  clergyman  assuring  him  that  no 
fraud  or  compulsion  has  been  practised  upon 
the  unfortunate  bride,  who  remains  silent  and  as 

1  Chap,  xxxiii. 


The  Bride  of  Lammermoor  137 

if  partly  unconscious  during  this  extraordinary- 
scene,  Ravenswood  then  exclaims,  laying  down 
before  Lucy  the  signed  paper  and  broken  piece 
of  gold  : 

"  There,  madam,  are  the  evidences  of  your  first 
engagement ;  may  you  be  more  faithful  to  that  which 
you  have  just  formed.  I  will  trouble  you  to  return 
the  corresponding  tokens  of  my  ill-placed  con- 
fidence —  I  ought  rather  to  say  of  my  egregious 
folly." 

Lucy  returned  the  scornful  glance  of  her  lover 
with  a  gaze  from  which  perception  seemed  to  have 
been  banished,  yet  she  seemed  partly  to  have  under- 
stood his  meaning,  for  she  raised  her  hands  as  if 
to  undo  a  blue  ribbon  which  she  wore  around  her 
neck.  She  was  unable  to  accomplish  her  purpose, 
but  Lady  Ashton  cut  the  ribbon  asunder,  and  de- 
tached the  broken  piece  of  gold,  which  Miss  Ashton 
had  till  then  worn  concealed  in  her  bosom ;  the 
written  counterpart  of  the  lovers'  engagement  she  for 
some  time  had  had  in  her  own  possession.  With  a 
haughty  curtsey  she  delivered  both  to  Ravenswood. 

The  stupified,  half-conscious  state  of  the  terrified 
bride,  the  violence  of  her  mother,  and  the  indig- 
nation of  Ravenswood  during  this  extraordinary 
scene,  are   avowedly  drawn    from    the    tradition 


138  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

which  Scott  mentions  in  the  preface,  and  also 
at  the  end  of  the  last  chapter  but  one.  The 
death  of  the  bride,  soon  after  her  marriage, 
when  she  stabs  Bucklaw,  though  not  fatally, 
even  her  last  exclamation,  uttered  in  grinning 
exultation, 

"  So  you  have  ta'en  up  your  bonny  bridegroom/' 

meaning  the  wounded  Bucklaw,  are  alike 
founded   on    recorded    facts. 

The  last  most  pathetic  chapter,  relating  the 
fate  both  of  Ravenswood  and  of  Caleb  Balder- 
stone,  is  Scott's  own  invention.  Here  he  relied 
upon  his  own  almost  unrivalled  imagination ;  and 
Ravenswood's  death  in  the  quicksand,  as  well 
as  the  last  days  of  the  faithful  Caleb,  are 
described  with  his  characteristic  power  and 
pathos.  This  story  has  been  always  deservedly 
a  favourite,  not  only  with  the  reading  public, 
but  with  painters,  dramatists,  and  musicians. 
It  certainly  presents  characters,  scenes,  and 
situations  highly  attractive  to  artists  of  all 
these  professions.  The  brilliant  chorus  in 
Donizetti's  opera,    "  Per  te  d'immenso  giubilo," 


The   Bride  of  Lammermoor  139 

addressed  to  the  bride's  brother,  congratulates 
him  on  his  sister's  marriage  with  Bucklaw  as 
a  great  advantage  to  the  Ashton  family.  The 
token  scene,  where  Ravenswood  indignantly 
demands  the  pledge  of  his  "  egregious  folly* 
from  the  half-unconscious  bride,  together  with 
the  love  scene  at  the  Mermaiden's  Well,  have 
been  also  beautifully  expressed  in  Donizetti's 
pathetic  opera.  Thus  the  noble  quartett  with 
chorus,  "Chi  mi  frena  in  tal  momento,"  admir- 
ably represents,  as  far  as  musical  expression 
can,  the  grand  token  scene.  Throughout  the 
opera  Douglas  Ashton,  Lucy's  elder  brother, 
called  Enrico,  is  substituted  for  her  mother, 
who  is  omitted,  while  the  Rev.  Bide-the-Bent, 
more  melodiously  termed  Raimondo,  keeps  the 
peace  between  Ravenswood,  Douglas  Ashton, 
and  Bucklaw,  called  by  the  more  melodious 
name  of  Arturo.  In  this  musical  composition 
some  scenes  and  characters  are  altered  or 
omitted,  but  the  pathetic  music,  during  the 
token  scene  especially,  is  sufficiently  charac- 
teristic to  recall  this  most  attractive  story  to 
the   memory   of  all    musical    readers. 


140  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

As  a  play,  this  novel  has  not  been  so  suc- 
cessful as  the  opera,  notwithstanding  its  many 
dramatic  characters  and  situations.1  But  the 
thrilling  interest  of  this  beautiful  tragedy 
among  all  refined  readers  of  sense  and  feeling 
will  probably  be  permanent.  In  the  real  story, 
which  Scott  to  a  great  extent  carefully  follows,2 
Edgar  Ravenswood  was  a  Lord  Rutherford. 
This  nobleman,  Scott  says,  was  an  amiable, 
high-spirited  young  man,  nobly  born  with  very 
little  fortune  ;  perhaps,  therefore,  not  unlike  the 
hero  of  the  novel.  The  end,  however,  of  some 
of  the  chief  persons  in  the  story  is  entirely 
Scott's  invention.     Lord  Rutherford's  fate  seems 

1  The  present  writer  once  saw  this  tragedy  acted 
at  the  Lyceum  Theatre,  when  managed  by  Mr. 
Fechter,  who  personated  Ravenswood,  but  the  per- 
formance was  not  apparently  very  popular.  The 
three  old  hags  were  omitted  ;  and  I  remember 
hearing  from  Mr.  Charles  Dickens  that  Fechter 
was  right  in  omitting  them,  as  they  would  be 
compared  by  the  public  to  the  witches  in 
"  Macbeth,"  yet  they  would  perhaps  have  increased 
the   dramatic   interest   of   the   representation. 

2  Introduction. 


The  Bride  of  Lammermoor  141 

unknown,  while  Ravenswood  is  swallowed  up 
in  a  quicksand  when  riding  forth  to  fight 
a  duel  at  an  appointed  place  with  Colonel 
Ashton.  In  the  opera  he  commits  suicide  at 
hearing  of  Lucy's  death  from  the  clergyman 
Reimondo. 

The  furious  interview  between  the  intend- 
ing duellists  Ravenswood  and  Sir  William 
Ashton  is  represented  in  a  spirited  duet  in 
the  opera,  but  this  scene  is  rarely  performed 
in  England,  though  it  probably  is  on  the 
Continent.  The  fierce  end  of  this  duet,  "Osole 
piu  rapido,"  where  each  longs  for  the  sunrise 
next  day  to  witness  their  mortal  combat, 
closely  follows  the  spirit  of  Scott's  imaginary 
scene,  where  Ravenswood  and  Douglas  Ashton 
fix  the  time  of  their  duel  at  sunrise  the 
next  morning.  Ravenswood's  devoted  old 
servant  Caleb  Balderstone,  in  Scott's  pathetic 
words, 

with  a  fidelity  sometimes  displayed  by  the  canine 
race,  but  seldom  by  human  beings,  pined  and  died 
within  a  year  after  the  catastrophe  which  we  have 
narrated. 


142  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

Scott  finally  states  the  mingled  truth  and 
fiction    comprised    in    this   attractive    novel  : 

Those  who  are  read  in  the  private  family  history 
of  Scotland  during  the  period  in  which  the  scene 
is  laid,  will  readily  discover  through  the  disguise 
of  borrowed  names  and  added  incidents  the  leading 
particulars  of  an  ower  true  tale. 


A    LEGEND    OF   MONTROSE 


CHAPTER   VI 
A    LEGEND    OF  MONTROSE 

^^COTT'S  interest  in  the  Highlanders,  and 
^^  his  pleasure  in  describing  them,  is  more 
strikingly  shown  in  this  short  story,  perhaps, 
than  in  any  other.  The  period  is  1645-46; 
the  hero  and  heroine,  Lord  Menteith  and 
Annot  Lyle,  are  rather  uninteresting,  and  take 
very  little  part  in  the  story. 

The  chief  historical  characters  are  the  rival 
Scottish  noblemen,  the  great  Marquis  of 
Montrose  and  the  Marquis  of  Argyll.  The 
latter  was  allied  with  the  English  Common- 
wealth, while  Montrose  was  the  champion  of 
the  unfortunate  Charles  I.  The  majority  of 
the  Scottish  Lowlanders,  however,  being 
Presbyterians,    were    hostile    to    the    Monarchy, 

10  14s 


146  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

while  most  of  the  Highlanders — though  many- 
knew  little  about  English  politics — were  dis- 
posed to  join  the  King's  standard.  Among 
these  brave,  yet  undisciplined  warriors  Mont- 
rose appeared,  and  soon  acquired  much  the 
same  surprising  influence  over  them  as  his 
relative,  Graham  of  Claverhouse,  Lord  Dun- 
dee, obtained  in  the  subsequent  reign  of 
James    II. 

Upon  this  subject,  so  interesting  as  well  as 
important  in  the  pages  of  Scottish  history, 
Macaulay  observes  : : 

"Some  writers  have  mentioned  it  as  a  proof  of 
the  extraordinary  genius  of  Montrose  and  Dundee 
that  those  captains,  though  not  themselves  of  Gaelic 
race  or  speech,  should  have  been  able  to  form  and 
direct  confederacies  of  Gaelic  tribes.  But  it  was  in 
truth  precisely  because  Montrose  and  Dundee  were 
not  Highlanders  that  they  were  able  to  lead  armies 
composed  of  Highland  clans.  Had  Montrose  been 
chief  of  the  Camerons,  the  Macdonalds  would  never 
have  submitted  to  his  authority.  Had  Dundee  been 
chief  of  Clanronald,  he  would  never  have  been 
obeyed  by  Glengarry.     Haughty  and  punctilious  men 


1  "History  of  England,"  chap.  xiii. 


A  Legend  of  Montrose  147 

who  scarcely  acknowledged  the  King  to  be  their 
superior  would  not  have  endured  the  superiority  of 
a  neighbour,  an  equal,  a  competitor.  They  could 
far  more  easily  bear  the  pre-eminence  of  a  distin- 
guished stranger.  Yet  even  to  such  a  stranger  they 
would  only  allow  a  very  limited  and  precarious 
authority.  To  bring  a  chief  before  a  court-martial, 
to  shoot  him,  to  cashier  him,  to  degrade  him,  to 
reprimand  him  publicly,  was  impossible.  .  .  .  Mont- 
rose, having  passed  rapidly  from  victory  to  victory, 
was,  in  the  full  career  of  success,  suddenly  aban- 
doned by  his  followers.  Local  interests  and  local 
jealousies  had  brought  his  army  together.  Local 
jealousies  and  local  interests  dissolved  it.  .  .  . 
Dundee  did  not  live  long  enough  to  experience  a 
similar  reverse  of  fortune,  but  there  is  every  reason 
to  believe  that,  had  his  life  been  prolonged  one 
fortnight,  his  history  would  have  been  that  of 
Montrose  retold." 

However  this  might  have  been,  for  some 
time  the  gallant  Lowland  Marquis  of  Montrose, 
commanding  the  Highlanders,  was  the  terror 
of  the  Lowlands  ;  for  he  certainly  managed  his 
Highland  soldiers  with  remarkable  skill  and 
success.  This  story  only  gives  a  short  sketch 
of  his  brilliant  career  at  the  outset,  and  leaves 
him  in  the  midst  of  his  triumphs. 


148  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

The  pleasure  with  which  Scott  describes  the 
victories  of  the  Highlanders  surprises  and 
perhaps  irritates  Macaulay,  who,  though  him- 
self bearing  a  Highland  name,  has  little  admi- 
ration for  these  mountaineers,  and  decidedly 
prefers  the  comparatively  civilised  Scottish 
Lowlanders.  He  observes  that  Scott,  though 
of  a  Lowland  family,  describes  with  delighted 
pride  the  defeats  of  his  own  ancestors  by 
fellow  countrymen  whom  they  regarded  as 
little  better  than  dangerous  savages  ;  and 
doubtless  Scott  views  Montrose  and  Dundee, 
while  commanding  the  victorious  Highlanders, 
with  far  more  admiration  than  did  most  of  his 
fellow  Lowlanders.  Macaulay's  historical  mind 
suggests  an  important  and  interesting  com- 
parison between  the  feelings  of  Scottish  and 
Irish  during   their   civil   wars.     He   writes  : 

"The  Anglo-Saxon  and  the  Celt  have  been  re- 
conciled in  Scotland,  and  have  never  been  re- 
conciled in  Ireland.  In  Scotland  all  the  great 
actions  of  both  races  are  thrown  into  a  common 
stock  and  are  considered  as  making  up  the  glory 
which     belongs    to   the   whole    country.      So    com- 


A  Legend  of  Montrose  149 

pletely  has  the  old  antipathy  been  extinguished  that 
nothing  is  more  usual  than  to  hear  a  Lowlander 
talk  with  complacency  and  even  with  pride  of  the 
most  humiliating  defeat  that  his  ancestors  ever 
underwent.  It  would  be  difficult  to  name  any 
eminent  man  in  whom  national  feeling  and 
clannish  feeling  were  stronger  than  in  Sir  Walter 
Scott.  Yet  when  Sir  Walter  Scott  mentioned 
Killiecranckie  »  he  seemed  utterly  to  forget  that  he 
was  a  Saxon.  ...  His  heart  swelled  with  triumph 
when  he  related  how  his  own  kindred  had  fled  like 
hares  before  a  smaller  number  of  warriors  of  a 
different  breed  and  of  a  different   tongue." 

Scott  admits  and  censures  Montrose's  cruel 
ravages  among  the  Argyll  tenantry,  which  he 
says  was  justly  considered  a  blot  upon  the 
fame  of  the  great  Marquis ;  while  he  certainly 
interests  his  readers  much  more  for  him  than 
for  his   enemy,  Argyll. 

He  describes  Argyll  and  the  Campbells  as 
in  alliance  with  the  majority  of  the  Low- 
landers  and  opposed  to  the  majority  of  the 
Highlanders,     and    they    certainly    acquired    at 

1  Dundee's  great  victory  over  the  Lowlanders  who 
were  in  arms  for  William  III. 


150  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

the  end  of  the  civil  war  the  chief  power  in 
Scotland  while  allied  with  the  English  Republi- 
cans. Argyll's  crafty,  relentless  character  is  a 
striking  contrast  to  that  of  his  noble  relative 
so  attractively  described  in  "  The  Heart  of 
Midlothian,"  and  it  may,  perhaps,  be  doubted  if 
the  former's  character  is  fairly  described  in  this 
tale.  Macaulay  writes  of  this  powerful  noble- 
man *  : 


"The  Marquis  of  Argyll  was  the  head  of  a  party 
as  well  as  the  head  of  a  tribe.  Possessed  of  two 
different  kinds  of  authority,  he  used  each  of  them  in 
such  a  way  as  to  extend  and  fortify  the  other.  .  .  . 
Of  all  the  Highland  princes  whose  history  is  well 
known  to  us  he  was  the  greatest  and  the  most 
dreaded.  It  was  while  his  neighbours  were  watching 
the  increase  of  his  power  with  hatred  which  fear 
could  scarcely  keep  down  that  Montrose  called 
them  to  arms.  The  call  was  promptly  obeyed.  A 
powerful  coalition  of  clans  waged  war,  nominally 
for  King  Charles  [I.]  but  really  against  McCallum 
More  [Argyll].  It  is  not  easy  for  any  person 
who  has  studied  the  history  of  that  contest 
to    doubt    that    if    Argyll   had   supported   the   cause 


1  a 


History  of  England/'  vol.  iii. 


A  Legend  of  Montrose  151 

of  monarchy  his  neighbours  would  have  declared 
against  it.  Grave  writers  tell  of  the  victory  gained 
at  Inverlochy  by  the  royalists  over  the  rebels.  But 
the  peasantry  who  dwell  near  the  spot  speak  more 
accurately.  They  talk  of  the  great  battle  won  there 
by   the    Macdonalds  over  the  Campbells." 

The  most  remarkable  fictitious  character  in 
this  story  is  the  well-known  soldier  of  fortune, 
Major  Dalgetty.  He  perhaps  slightly  re- 
sembles Le  Balafre  '  and  the  Baron  of  Brad- 
wardine,2  but  he  is  quite  distinct  from  either. 
He  is  a  Protestant,  his  great  hero  being  the 
Swedish  King,  Gustavus  Adolphus,  the  Pro- 
testant champion,  and  under  whom  he  had 
served  with  distinction.  But  his  political 
principles  seem  uncertain,  and  Cavalier  and 
Roundhead  are  much  alike  to  him.  In  the 
subsequent  civil  war  between  James  II.  and 
William  III.  he  would  probably  have  joined 
the  latter,  from  their  common  Protestantism. 
But  in  this  civil  strife  between  a  Protestant 
King  and  Protestant  Republicans  of  various 
denominations,  Dalgetty  seems  to  feel  com- 
1  "Quentin  Durward."  2  "  Waverley." 


152  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

paratively  slight  interest  to  what  he  felt  in 
the  previous  foreign  wars,  which  he  is  never 
weary  of  describing. 

He,  however,  joins  Montrose,  whom  he 
heartily  admires,  and  by  whom  he  is  also 
much  valued  as  a  useful  assistant  in  managing 
the  Highlanders,  for  though  pedantic  and 
talkative  to  a  great  degree,  he  is  a  brave, 
shrewd,  and  experienced  officer.  Scott's  well- 
known  love  for  horses  as  well  as  for  dogs 
is  amusingly  shown  when  Montrose  presents 
a  new  steed  to  Dalgetty,  which  the  latter 
names  "  Loyalty's  Reward."  Montrose,  hearing 
this  name  and  alluding,  while  unconsciously 
foreseeing  his  own  fate,  to  the  state  of  Scot- 
land at   the   time,    thus   addresses    Dalgetty : 

"  I  hope  you'll  find  Loyalty's  Reward,  since  you 
call  him  so,  practised  in  all  the  duties  of  the  field 
— but  I  must  just  hint  to  you  that  at  this  time 
in  Scotland  loyalty  is  more  frequently  rewarded 
with   a   halter  than   with   a   horse." 

Dalgetty  then  protests  against  the  too 
common   ill-usage   of  horses : l 

1  Chap.  xx. 


A  Legend  of  Montrose  153 

"  His  Excellency  [Montrose]  having  the  same 
intercourse  with  his  horse  during  his  exercise  that 
he  hath  with  his  soldiers  when  training  them,  may 
form  and  break  either  to  every  feat  of  war  which 
he  chooses  to  practise,  and  accordingly  this  noble 
charger  is  admirably  managed.  But  as  it  is  the 
intercourse  of  private  life  that  formeth  the  social 
character,  so  I  do  not  apprehend  that  of  the  single 
soldier  to  be  much  polished  by  the  conversation  of 
the  corporal  or  the  sergeant,  or  that  of  Loyalty's 
Reward  to  have  been  much  dulcified  or  amelio- 
rated by  the  society  of  his  Excellency's  grooms, 
who  bestow  more  oaths  and  kicks  and  thumps 
than  kindness  or  caresses  upon  the  animals  in- 
trusted to  their  charge,  whereby  many  a  generous 
quadruped,  rendered  as  it  were  misanthropic,  mani- 
fests, during  the  rest  of  his  life,  a  greater  desire  to 
kick  and  bite  his  master  than  to  love  or  to  honour 
him." 

"  Spoken  like  an  oracle,"  said  Montrose.  "  Were 
there  an  academy  for  the  education  of  horses 
to  be  annexed  to  the  Mareschal  College  of 
Aberdeen,  Sir  Dugald  Dalgetty  alone  should  fill 
the   chair." 

Scott  here  makes  young  Lord  Menteith, 
who  is  perhaps  a  little  provoked  by  the 
pedantic,  though  brave  Dalgetty,  say  aside 
to    Montrose  : 


154  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

"  Because  being  an  ass  there  would  be  some 
distant  relation  between  the  professor  and  the 
students." 

Some  of  Scott's  critics  compare  this  singular 
character  to  Shakespeare's  Fluellen  I  and  Ben 
Jonson's  Captain  Bobadil,2  but  Dalgetty  bears 
little  resemblance  to  the  former,  and  scarcely 
any  to  the  latter,  who  is  described  as  a  cowardly 
though  witty  boaster,  while  Dalgetty  is  brave 
as  a  lion  throughout.  The  character  of  the 
fierce,  half-mad  Highlander,  Allan  M'Aulay,  is 
striking  and  even  terrible,  and  it  is  probable 
there  may  have  been  some  Highlanders  like 
him,  considering  their  singular  history  and 
way  of  life  at  this  time.     Scott  declares  3  : 

"  From  the  earliest  period  down  to  the  union  of 
the  Crowns,  the  whole  kingdom  of  Scotland,  Low- 
lands as  well  as  Highlands,  had  been  the  constant 
scene  of  war,  foreign  and  domestic,  and  there  was 
probably  scarce  one  of  its  hardy  inhabitants  between 
the  ages  of  sixteen  and  sixty,  who  was  not  as  willing 


*  "  Henry  the  Fifth." 

2  Introduction  ;  M  Every  Man  in  his  Humour.'' 

3  Chap.  xv. 


A   Legend  of  Montrose  155 

in  point  of  fact,  as  he  was  literally  bound  in  law, 
to  assume  arms  at  the  first  call  of  his  liege  lord,  or 
of  a  royal  proclamation." 

The  story  terminates  rather  abruptly,  leaving 
Montrose  in  triumph  among  his  Highland 
troops  and  Argyll  defeated,  though  not  van- 
quished, waiting  his  opportunity  to  revenge 
himself  upon  his  gallant  rival.  This  oppor- 
tunity, indeed,  arrived  in  the  changing  fortunes 
of  war,  and  Argyll's  vengeance  was  fearfully 
sated  on  the  brave  Marquis,  who  was  hanged 
from  a  gallows  thirty  feet  high,1  and  loaded 
with  bitter  reproaches  and  rebukes  to  the  last 
by  some  of  the  opposite  party.  But  Scott 
avoids  describing  his  hero's  misfortunes,  and 
leaves  him  in  the  midst  of  his  brief  but 
glorious  successes.  This  tale,  though  con- 
taining some  beautiful  descriptions  of  Highland 
scenery  and  a  fewT  striking  characters,  is  not 
very  interesting  or  enlivening.  There  are  no 
amusing  or  witty  characters  from  beginning 
to  end,  except  Dalgetty,  and  though  the  hero 
and  heroine  are  happily  married,  the  reader 
1  Hume's  History. 


156  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

feels  little  interest  about  them.  Montrose  and 
Dalgetty  are  the  two  chief  characters,  by 
whom  attraction  and  interest  are  alike  ab- 
sorbed ;  the  former  being  described  perhaps 
rather  too  favourably,  while  the  latter  is  one 
of  Scott's  most  original  creations,  though 
partly    founded   on   a    real   personage. 


THE    PIRATE 


CHAPTER  VII 


THE  PIRATE 


rHE  scene  of  this  bright  and  original 
■*■  story  is  laid  entirely  in  the  islands  of 
Orkney  and  Zetland,  whither  Scott  once  made 
a  voyage,  which  he  says  inspired  him  with 
the  idea  of  writing  this  book.  The  tale  has 
two  heroes  and  two  heroines,  of  whom  one 
couple  end  happily  and  the  other  are  un- 
fortunate. It  opens  with  a  picturesque  de- 
scription of  the  rocky  sea-beaten  Zetland  coasts, 
which  are  described  with  such  force  and 
interest — Scott  evidently  liking  the  country — 
that  the  reader  is  pleased  and  even  cheered 
by  a  description  which  many  writers  might 
have  rendered  gloomy  and  depressing. 

The    date    of    the    story    is    probably   about 

the    beginning     or    middle    of    the    eighteenth 

159 


160  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

century,  though  one  of  the  chief  characters — 
the  old  Zetland  landlord — Magnus  Troil,  right- 
fully belongs,  as  the  author  admits,  to  a  more 
remote  period  of  history.  He  is  a  widower 
with  two  daughters  :  Minna,  the  romantic  and 
serious,  Brenda,  the  merry  and  lively  heroines 
of  the  book.  A  reserved,  silent  stranger, 
named  Basil  Mertoun,  and  an  only  son,  a 
handsome  youth  named  Mordaunt,  arrive  in 
Zetland,  and  take  up  their  abode  in  a  gloomy 
old  house  belonging  to  Magnus  Troil,  nobody 
knowing  anything  about  them  or  their  past 
history. 

Mr.  Mertoun  is  a  stern,  unhappy  man,  with 
some  secret  sorrow  apparently  weighing  on  his 
mind.  Yet  Scott  does  not  wish  to  make  him 
an  interesting  character  :  he  is  cold  and  harsh 
even  to  his  son,  who  is  an  amiable  contrast 
to  himself,  and  soon  a  great  favourite  with 
Magnus  Troil  and  his  daughters.  The  elder 
Mertoun  is  a  thorough  misanthropist,  not  in 
the  sad  relenting  spirit  of  the  "  Black  Dwarf," 
but  in  stern,  sarcastic  bitterness.  But  Magnus 
Troil  is   a  joyous,   hot-tempered  old    Zetlander, 


The  Pirate  161 

not  unlike  Cedric  in  "  Ivanhoe,"  always  re- 
gretting that  his  country  is  ruled  and  in- 
habited by  Scottish  men,  he  himself  being  of 
old  Norwegian  descent  and  very  proud  of  it. 
His  half  crazy  kinswoman,  Noma  of  the  Fitful 
Head,  is  a  singular  character,  somewhat  re- 
sembling Meg  Merrilies,  though  with  many 
distinctive  points.  Yet  Scott  admits  1  that 
some  readers  thought  there  was  too  great  a 
likeness  between  the  Scottish  gipsy  and  the 
Zetland  prophetess. 

Noma  is  described  as  partially  insane,  wan- 
dering constantly  about  Zetland,  believing  she 
can  control,  or  at  least  influence,  the  winds 
and  waves  ;  and  having  completely  imposed 
upon  herself,  she  has  also  imposed  upon  many 
of  the  poor  Zetlanders,  who  view  her  with 
fear  and  respect.  She  is  friendly  to  young 
Mordaunt  Mertoun,  and  much  attached  to  the 
Troil  sisters,  especially  to  Minna,  whose  serious 
romantic  character  inclines  her  to  Noma's 
gloomy  society,  which  is  by  no  means  so 
agreeable  to  her  younger  sister,   Brenda. 

1  Preface. 
ii 


1 62  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

Scott,  though  writing  about  Zetland  and  its 
people  with  evident  interest  and  pleasure,  yet 
forcibly  describes  an  odious  habit  among  some 
of  these  selfish  islanders,  in  refusing  assistance 
to  shipwrecked  victims  on  their  coast,  partly 
from  superstition,  and  partly  from  hopes  of 
obtaining  whatever  property  belonging  to  them 
might  be  thrown  ashore.  He  even  mentions 
a  prayer  used  among  them  for  heaven 

"to  send  more  wrecks  ere  winter" 

— more  fit  for  offering  to  some  heathen  deity 
than  to  the  Creator  of  man.  Several  of  the 
poorer  Zetlanders,  such  as  Bryce  Snailsfoot,  the 
roguish  pedlar,  old  Swertha,  the  maid-servant, 
&c,  are  adduced  as  specimens  of  these  super- 
stitious, heartless  islanders,  whom  nevertheless 
Scott  describes  in  a  good-humoured  style, 
making  them  more  amusing  and  less  odious 
than  they  would  probably  have  been  in  real 
life. 

The  conceited  Scottish  factor,  Yellowley,  and 
his  shrewish  sister  Baby,  who  settle  in  Zetland, 


The  Pirate  163 

trying  to  introduce  Scottish  ideas  and  improve- 
ments, are  among  the  most  amusing  characters 
in  the  book,  especially  when  first  mentioned 
during  a  terrific  storm,  when  unwillingly  giving 
temporary  shelter  to  old  Noma,  Mordaunt 
Mertoun,  and  the  pedlar  Bryce.  This  lively 
scene  displays  all  these  different  characters 
with  great  force  and  humour  : 

Mistress  Baby  gave  vent  to  her  fears  in  loud 
exclamations  of  "The  Lord  guide  us — this  is  surely 
the  last  day — what  kind  of  a  country  of  guisards 
and  gyrecarlines  is  this  !  And  you,  ye  fool  carle/' 
she  added,  turning  on  her  brother  (for  all  her 
passions  had  a  touch  of  acidity  in  them),  "  to  quit 
the  bonny  Mearns  land  to  come  here,  where  there  is 
naething  but  sturdy  beggars  and  gaberlunzies  within 
ane's  house,  and  Heaven's  anger  on  the  outside  on't." 

"  I  tell  you,  sister  Baby,"  answered  the  insulted 
agriculturist,  "  that  all  shall  be  reformed  and 
amended — excepting,"  he  added,  betwixt  his  teeth, 
°  the  scaulding  humours  of  an  ill-natured  jaud,  that 
can  add  bitterness  to  the  very  storm." 

The  old  domestic  and  the  pedlar  meanwhile  ex- 
hausted themselves  in  entreaties  to  Noma  to  leave 
the  house,  of  which,  as  they  were  couched  in  the 
Norse  language,  the  master  of  the  house  understood 
nothing. 


164  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

She  listened  to  them  with  a  haughty  and  un- 
moved air,  and  replied  at  length  aloud  and  in 
English,  "  I  will  not.  What  if  this  house  be 
strewed  in  ruins  before  morning — where  would  be 
the  world's  want  in  the  crazed  projector  and  the 
niggardly  pinch-commons  by  which  it  is  inhabited  ? 
They  will  needs  come  to  reform  Zetland  customs  ; 
let  them  try  how  they  like  a  Zetland  storm." 


Although  Noma  is  consistent  throughout, 
she  is  an  improbable,  if  not  unnatural  cha- 
racter. In  her  description,  Scott  evidently 
had  only  his  powerful  imagination  to  rely  on, 
whereas  in  the  somewhat  similar  characters  of 
Meg  Merrilies,  Magdalen  Graeme,1  and  Ulrica,2 
he  may  have  had  some  historic  foundations. 
But  Noma  seems  nearly  as  imaginary,  though 
not  so  poetical,  as  the  White  Lady  of  Avenel,3 
and  hardly  suited  to  the  time  in  which  she  is 
supposed  to  live. 

The  pirate  hero  himself  is  rescued  from  his 
shipwrecked  vessel  by  the  brave  exertions  of 
Mordaunt     Mertoun,      with     the     assistance    of 

1  "The  Abbot."  ^  « ivanhoe." 

3  "The  Monastery." 


The  Pirate  165 

Noma  and  Snailsfoot,  the  latter  beine  forced 
to  help  in  the  recovery  of  the  half-drowned 
man,  though  longing  to  rob  him  while  un- 
conscious and  leave  him  to  the  waves.  In 
this  design,  however,  he  is  prevented  by  the 
threatened  curse  of  Noma,  which  even  this 
sharp  pedlar  fears  may 

u  injure  his  trade  through  the  isles." 

When  the  pirate  recovers  he  calls  himself 
Captain  Cleveland,  states  that  he  is  the  sole 
survivor  of  the  crew  of  the  Revenge,  which  had 
been  wrecked  on  a  promontory  called  the 
Sumburgh  Head,  but  gives  little  further  account 
of  himself.  He  is  handsome  and  young,  rather 
blunt  in  manner  ;  nor  is  he  sufficiently  grateful 
to  his  gallant  rescuer,  Mordaunt,  although  pre- 
senting him  with  a  handsome  foreign  gun  in 
requital.  This  weapon,  with  some  money, 
clothes,  and  pistols,  are  saved  from  the 
plundering  Zetlanders  by  the  influence  of  Noma 
and  restored  to  Cleveland.  This  adventurer 
soon    knows   the  Troil  family,  and  there  ensues 


1 66  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

a  mutual   attachment  between  him  and  Minna, 
while  Brenda  prefers  Mordaunt.     Why  this  com- 
fortable  arrangement  could  not   have  lasted   to 
the   satisfaction  of  all  parties  concerned   is    not 
very  clearly  told,  but,  partly  through  the  gossip 
of    the   sly   pedlar    Bryce,    and    partly    through 
Cleveland's  selfish  jealousy,    Magnus   Troil   and 
Minna   are   soon   prejudiced   against   Mordaunt, 
while    Brenda    is     much     under    their    control. 
Noma,  who,  though  living  a  solitary  life,  loves 
this  family,  with  whom  she  is  distantly  related, 
and  who  gets    information   about  everything   in 
Zetland,  warns  Mordaunt  not  to  let  himself  be 
supplanted  by  this  doubtful  stranger.     Mordaunt 
accordingly    goes     uninvited     to     a     somewhat 
boisterous  entertainment  at  old  Magnus  Troil's, 
and  finds  Cleveland  the  honoured  guest,  in  high 
favour  with  the  company,  while  paying  marked 
attentions    to    Minna   Troil,    who    seems    much 
captivated     by     him.       This     intimacy     greatly 
astonishes  Mordaunt,  owing  to  the  vast  contrast 
between    the    imaginative,    refined    Minna    and 
the    bold,    free-and-easy,    even    rough    Captain 
Cleveland. 


The  Pirate  167 

Upon  the  subject  of  people  often  liking,  if  not 
loving,  their  contrasts,  Scott  makes  some  philo- 
sophical remarks,  rather  delaying  the  course  of 
the  story,  which  he  rarely  does  : 

For  what  a  world  were  it  if  only  the  wise  were  to 
intermarry  with  the  wise,  the  learned  with  the  learned, 
the  amiable  with  the  amiable,  nay,  even  the  handsome 
with  the  handsome  ?  and  is  it  not  evident  that  the 
degraded  castes  of  the  foolish,  the  ignorant,  the  brutal, 
and  the  deformed  (comprehending  by  very  far  the 
greater  portion  of  mankind),  must,  when  condemned 
to  exclusive  intercourse  with  each  other,  become 
gradually  as  much  brutalised  in  person  and  dis- 
position as  a  party  of  otirang-outangs  ?  * 

Mordaunt  vainly  tries  to  discover  what  unin- 
tentional offence  he  has  given  to  the  Troils, 
though  Cleveland  is  still  friendly  towards  him, 
at  least  in  manner.  Scott  here  introduces  a 
Zetland  poet,  or  lover  of  poetry,  a  certain 
whimsical  old  man,  Claud  Halcro,  not  a  very 
amusing  or  interesting  guest  of  Magnus  Troil, 
who  is  constantly  praising  and  repeating 
Dryden's    verses.      He    sadly   bores    both    the 

1  Chap.  xiii. 


1 68  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

young  men,  Cleveland  and  Mordaunt,  on  one 
occasion,1  mentioning  Tim  Thimblethwaite,  a 
former  friend  of  his  own,  who  had  : 

"lent  John  [Dryden]  money  to  boot  out  of  his  own 
pocket  at  a  time  when  all  his  (Dryden's)  fine  court 
friends  blew  cold  enough.  He  trusted  me  too,  and  I 
have  been  two  months  on  the  score  at  a  time  for  my 
upper  room.  To  be  sure,  I  was  obliging  in  his  way 
— not  that  I  could  exactly  shape  or  sew,  nor  would 
that  have  been  decorous  for  a  gentleman  of  good 
descent ;  but  I — eh,  eh — I  drew  bills — summed  up  the 
books " 

"Carried  home  the  clothes  of  the  wits  and  alder- 
men, and  got  lodgings  for  your  labour,"  interrupted 
Cleveland. 

"No,    no — d n    it,   no,"    replied    Halcro,    "no 

such  thing — you  put  me  out  in  my  story — where 
was  I  ?  " 

"  Nay,  the  devil  help  you  to  the  latitude,"  said  the 
Captain,  extricating  his  button  from  the  gripe  of  the 
unmerciful  bard's  finger  and  thumb ;  "  for  I  have  no 
time  to  take  an  observation."  So  saying,  he  bolted 
from  the  room. 

"A  silly,  ill-bred,  conceited  fool,"  said  Halcro, 
looking  after  him,  "  with  as  little  wit  as  manners  in  his 
empty  coxcomb.     I  wonder  what  Magnus  and  these 

1  Chap.  xii. 


The   Pirate  169 

silly  wenches  can  see  in  him — he  tells  such  damnable 
long  stories,  too,  about  his  adventures  and  sea-fights — 
every  second  word  a  lie,  I  doubt  not.  Mordaunt,  my 
dear  boy,  take  example  by  that  man — that  is,  take 
warning  by  him — never  tell  long  stories  about  your- 
self. You  are  sometimes  given  to  talk  too  much 
about  your  own  exploits  on  crags  and  skerries  and 
the  like,  which  only  breaks  conversation  and  prevents 
other  folk  from  being  heard.  Now  I  see  you  are 
impatient  to  hear  out  what  I  was  saying.  Stop, 
where  was  I  ?  " 

"  I  fear  we  must  put  it  off,  Mr.  Halcro,  until  after 
dinner,"  said  Mordaunt,  who  also  meditated  his 
escape,  though  desirous  of  effecting  it  with  more 
delicacy  towards  his  old  acquaintance  than  Captain 
Cleveland  had  thought  it  necessary  to  use. 

Halcro's  admiration  for  Dryden  seems  rather 
unlikely  among  the  inhabitants  of  Orkney  and 
Zetland,  as  has  been  remarked,1  but  Halcro 
evidently  amuses  Scott  himself,  who  introduces 
him  as  nearly  always  quoting  Dryden,  though 
he  takes  little  part  in  the  story. 

The  singular  festivities  at  Magnus  Troil's,  and 
the  spirited  description  of  the  whale  fishing, 
occupy  the  middle  of  the  story,  in  which  most 
1   Shaw's  "  Manual  of  English  Literature." 


170  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

of  the  characters  are  brought  together,  while 
Mordaunt  remains  out  of  favour  without  knowing 
why,  and  Cleveland  is  equally  admired  by  host 
and  company.  The  Scottish  factor,  Yellowley, 
vainly  tries  to  recommend  Scottish  farming  and 
Scottish  ways  to  Magnus  Troil,  who  is  as 
obstinately  attached  to  old  customs  as  the  other 
is  conceited  and  forward  in  advocating  new  ones. 
Cleveland,  however,  is  much  more  inclined  to 
quarrel  with  Mordaunt  than  seems  natural,  con- 
sidering his  reciprocated  love  for  Minna  and 
Mordaunt's  equally  reciprocated  love  for  Brenda. 
In  the  midst  of  these  festivities  and  half-sup- 
pressed disputes  the  cunning  pedlar,  Bryce, 
comes,  bringing  news  of  a  strange  ship  just 
arrived  at  Kirkwall,  no  one  knowing  exactly 
to  what  country  she  belongs.  As  Bryce  himself 
saw  the  vessel  and  some  of  the  crew,  Cleveland 
recognises,  from  his  description,  a  consort  of  his 
own  lost  ship,  and  resolves  to  go  to  Kirkwall 
and  see  his  former  comrades.  Meanwhile, 
Noma  reveals,  to  the  interest  of  Minna  and 
terror  of  Brenda,  part  of  her  own  sad  history 
— that     she     had     married     young     and     been 


The  Pirate  171 

deserted  by  her  husband,  and,  moreover,  had 
been  the  unintentional  cause  of  her  own  father's 
death. 

This  strange  revelation  is  made  at  night,  and 
seems  to  explain  the  cause  of  her  deranged  mind 
ever  after.  After  this  scene  the  sisters  have  a 
remarkable  conversation  together,  in  which 
Minna  admits  her  love  for  Cleveland,  whose 
daring  adventures,  as  he  narrates  them,  recall 
to  her  romantic,  fanciful  mind  the  naval  exploits  of 
her  own  remote  ancestors,  who  called  themselves 
sea-kings,  and  whose  deeds,  though  not  recorded 
in  regular  history,  had  been  transmitted  through 
old  legends  and  verses  to  her  from  childhood, 
and  chiefly  by  Noma  herself.  Leading  a  most 
secluded  life,  it  is  not  perhaps  improbable  that 
Minna  should  have  been  thus  mistaken  in  her 
admirer  ;  but  it  is  doubtful  indeed,  if  not  impos- 
sible, that  there  ever  was,  or  could  be,  a  pirate 
with  so  many  good  qualities  as  Cleveland.  Of 
all  violators  of  laws — divine  and  human — pirates 
have  always  been  among  the  most  desperate,  un- 
scrupulous, and  least  deserving  of  pity.  Yet  a 
pirate's  wild  life  seems  to  have  some  attraction, 


172  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

even    for  the   grave   and   serious  historian,  Mr. 
Hallam,  who  writes : 


u  A  pirate,  in  a  well-armed,  quick-sailing  vessel,  must 
feel,  I  suppose,  the  enjoyments  of  his  exemption  from 
control  more  exquisitely  than  any  other  freebooter, 
and,  darting  along  the  bosom  of  the  ocean,  under  the 
impartial  radiance  of  the  heavens,  may  deride  the  dark 
concealments  and  hurried  flights  of  the  forest  robber. 
This  occupation  is,  indeed,  extinguished  by  the 
civilisation  of  later  ages,  or  confined  to  distant 
climates."  z 


Every  civilised  nation  has  enacted  and  en- 
forced most  severe  laws  against  them,  and 
in  the  course  of  history,  while  penalties  for  most 
offences,  moral  and  political,  have  been  generally 
mitigated,  those  against  these  desperate  men 
have  remained  unchanged.  Cleveland,  before 
leaving  Zetland  for  Orkney,  to  some  extent 
reveals  to  Minna  his  real  profession,  watching 
the  effect  he  produces,  and,  of  course,  with- 
holding a  good  deal  about  it.  Minna,  inspired 
by   romantic    fancy   and   utterly   ignorant   about 

1  "  Middle  Ages,"  vol.  iii. 


The   Pirate  173 

real  pirates,   urges  him   to   rejoin   his    comrades 
and  distinguish  himself  1  : 


Cleveland  gazed  at  her  as  she  spoke  with  a  degree 
of  wondering  admiration  in  which,  at  the  same  time, 
there  lurked  a  smile  at  her  simplicity. 

"  I  could  not,"  he  said,  u  have  believed  that  such 
high  courage  could  have  been  found  united  with  such 
ignorance  of  the  world,  as  the  world  is  now  wielded. 
For  my  manners,  they  who  know  me  will  readily  allow 
that  I  have  done  my  best,  even  at  the  risk  of  my 
popularity,  and  of  my  life  itself,  to  mitigate  the 
ferocity  of  my  mates  ;  but  how  can  you  teach 
humanity  to  men  burning  with  vengeance  against  the 
world  by  whom  they  are  proscribed  ?  " 

Scott  then  describes  Cleveland  confessing 
gradually  more  and  more  of  his  profession,  till 
at  length  Minna,  slowly  becoming  ''sadder  and 
wiser,"  exclaims  : 

"  I  am  uncertain  whether  you  had  been  thus  candid 
had  you  not  known  that  I  should  soon  see  your 
comrades  and  discover  from  their  conversation  and 
manners  what  you  would  otherwise  gladly  have 
concealed." 

1  Chap.  xxii. 


174  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

He  replies  : 

"You  do  me  injustice,  Minna,  cruel  injustice. 
From  the  instant  you  knew  me  to  be  a  sailor  of 
fortune,  an  adventurer,  a  buccaneer,  or,  if  you  will 
have  the  broad  word,  A  pirate,  what  had  you  to 
expect  less  than  what  I  have  told  you  ?  " 

"  You  speak  too  truly,"  said  Minna  ;  "  all  this  I 
might  have  anticipated,  and  I  know  not  how  I  should 
have  expected  it  otherwise/' 

She  then  proceeds  to  reveal  her  own  enthusiastic 
nature,  and  a  mind  completely  engrossed  by 
remote  history,  and  therefore  strangely  ignorant 
about  her  own  times.  It  seems,  indeed,  almost 
if  not  quite  impossible  that  such  a  person  as 
Minna  Troil  could  ever  have  lived  except 
perhaps  in  very  remote  times,  and  yet  be  so 
endowed  with  the  refinement  of  modern  educa- 
tion and  enlightenment.  But  Scott,  having  con- 
ceived such  a  character,  describes  it  with  an 
interest  and  a  charm  probably  pleasing  alike 
to  himself  and  to  his  readers.  Minna  proceeds, 
revealing  yet  more  of  her  enthusiastic,  ignorant 
fancies  : 


The  Pirate  175 

"  ...  It  seemed  to  me  that  a  war  on  the  cruel  and 
superstitious  Spaniards  had  in  it  something  ennobling 
— something  that  refined  the  fierce  employment  to 
which  you  have  just  now  given  its  true  and  dreaded 
name.  I  thought  that  the  independent  warriors  of 
the  Western  Ocean,  raised  up  as  it  were  to  punish  the 
wrongs  of  so  many  murdered  and  plundered  tribes, 
must  have  had  something  of  gallant  devotion,  like 
that  of  the  Sons  of  the  North  whose  long  galleys 
avenged  on  so  many  coasts  the  oppressions  of 
degenerate  Rome.  This  I  thought  and  this  I  dreamed 
— I  grieve  that  I  am  awakened  and  undeceived.  Yet 
I  blame  you  not  for  the  erring  of  my  own  fancy. 
Farewell ;  we  must  now  part." 

"  Say,  at  least,"  said  Cleveland,  "  that  you  do 
not  hold  me  in  horror  for  having  told  you  the 
truth." 

"I  must  have  time  for  reflection," said  Minna;  "time 
to  weigh  what  you  have  said,  ere  I  can  fully  understand 
my  own  feelings.  Thus  much,  however,  I  can  say 
even  now,  that  he  who  pursues  the  wicked  purpose  of 
plunder,  by  means  of  blood  and  cruelty  ...  is  not 
and  cannot  be  the  lover  whom  Minna  Troil  expected 
to  find  in  Cleveland,  and  if  she  still  love  him  it  must 
be  as  a  penitent  and  not  as  a  hero." 

She  departs,  and  Cleveland,  looking  after  her, 
exclaims  to  himself  in  mingled  surprise,  disap- 
pointment, and  admiration  : 


176  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

"  She  is  gone ;  wild  and  fanciful  as  she  is,  I  expected 
not  this.  She  startled  not  at  the  name  of  my  perilous 
course  of  life,  yet  seemed  totally  unprepared  for  the 
evil  which  must  necessarily  attend  it,  and  so  all  the 
merit  I  have  gained  by  my  resemblance  to  a  Norse 
champion  or  King  of  the  Sea  is  to  be  lost  at  once, 
because  a  gang  of  pirates  do  not  prove  to  be  a  choir 
of  saints.  .  .  .  Well,  if  Fortune  would  but  stand  my 
friend  with  this  beautiful  enthusiast,  I  would  pursue 
her  wheel  no  further  at  sea,  but  set  myself  down 
amongst  these  rocks  as  happy  as  if  they  were  so  many 
groves  of  bananas  and  palmettoes." 

With  these  and  such  thoughts,  half  rolling  in 
his  bosom,  half  expressed  in  indistinct  hints  and 
murmurs,  the  pirate  Cleveland  returned  to  the  man- 
sion of  Burgh- Westra." 


Soon  after  this  interesting  scene  Cleveland 
and  Mordaunt  encounter  each  other,  late  in 
the  evening,  when  the  former  is  singing  love- 
songs  under  the  windows  of  Minna  and  Brenda. 
The  last  is  in  beautiful  words,  expressing  the 
contrast  between  his  peaceful  life  at  Magnus 
Troil's  hospitable  Zetland  home  and  the  terrible 
scenes  of  his  pirate's  career,  which  he  now 
expects  to  soon  resume,  at  least  for  a  time, 
though  longing  to  detach  himself  fr'om  it. 


The  Pirate  177 

"  Farewell  !  farewell  !  the  voice  you  hear 
Has  left  its  last  soft  tone  with  you, 
Its  next  must  join  the  seaward  cheer, 
And  shout  among  the  shouting  crew. 


The  accents  which  I  scarce  could  form 
Beneath  your  frown's  controlling  check, 

Must  give  the  word,  above  the  storm, 
To  cut  the  mast  and  clear  the  wreck. 


The  timid  eye  I  dared  not  raise — 

The  hand  that  shook  when  pressed  to  thine, 
Must  point  the  guns  upon  the  chase — 

Must  bid  the  deadly  cutlass  shine. 

To  all  I  love  or  hope  or  fear, 

Honour  or  own,  a  long  adieu  ! 
To  all  that  life  has  soft  and  dear, 

Farewell  !  save  memory  of  you  ! " 


Cleveland  wounds  Mordaunt,  who  is  un- 
armed, and  Minna  is  terrified  next  morning  at 
seeing  marks  of  blood  near  the  spot  ;  her 
sister,  who  remains  asleep,  knows  and  suspects 
nothing ;    but    though    Minna    does    not    reveal 

her    fears,    they    prey    so    incessantly    on    her 

12 


178  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

sensitive  mind  as  to  injure  her  health.  Mean- 
while, both  Cleveland  and  Mordaunt  disappear, 
the  former  going  to  Kirkwall,  while  the  latter 
is  secretly  borne  off  and  nursed  by  Noma. 
Magnus  Troil,  alarmed  at  his  daughter's  depres- 
sion, consults  Noma,  who  in  a  remarkable 
scene  fastens  a  charm  round  Minna's  neck, 
and  while  doing  so  reveals  to  her,  in  hasty 
and  vague  hints  which  few  understand,  that 
Cleveland  and  Mordaunt  are  neither  of  them 
slain,  after  which  news  Minna  rapidly  re- 
covers. 

Meantime  the  elder  Mertoun  hears  that 
only  Noma  can  tell  him  about  his  lost  son, 
and  accordingly  has  a  singular  interview  with 
her  in  a  solitary  churchyard.  Here  Noma, 
evidently  knowing  his  real  name  and  history, 
though  he  seems  to  have  forgotten  her,  tells 
him  that  at  Kirkwall  he  will  hear  news  of 
his  son. 

The  scene  then  changes  to  Orkney,  where 
Cleveland  rejoins  the  crew  of  his  lost  vessel's 
consort  and  is  moodily  consulting  his  chief 
adherent,      Bunce,     an     amusing     stage-struck 


The  Pirate  179 

amateur  pirate,  who  persists  in  styling  himself 
Frederick  Altamont.  He  is  a  brave,  lively, 
good-hearted  fellow  and  sincerely  attached  to 
Cleveland.  At  Kirkwall  Cleveland  inflicts  a 
well-deserved  beating  on  the  rogue,  Bryce 
Snailsfoot,  whom  he  and  Bunce  meet  at  Kirk- 
wall Fair,  where  the  pedlar  is  actually  selling 
some  of  Cleveland's  clothes  and  other  pro- 
perty, which  the  latter  recognises  and  demands. 
Bryce,  however,  cunningly  keeps  him  waiting 
with  false  excuses  while  he  secretly  sends  for 
the  constables,  hoping  that  Cleveland  may 
lose  temper  and  break  the  peace,  so  that  he 
may  continue  selling  the  stolen  goods.  He  is 
the  more  confident  in  his  roguery  as  all  these 
pirates  are  suspected  and  disliked  by  the  Kirk- 
wall people  from  their  insolent  conduct  and 
language  whenever  they  land.  However, 
Cleveland,  losing  temper  a  little  too  soon,  has 
time  to  bestow  some  heavy  blows  on  Snails- 
foot,  when  the  constables  interrupt  the  assault 
by  arresting  Cleveland,  and  amid  the  applause 
of  the  Kirkwall  inhabitants  drag  him  off  towards 
the  jail,   while   Bunce  makes  his  escape  to  the 


180  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

shore.  Here  he  summons  some  of  the  pirates 
to  the  rescue  of  their  young  captain,  which 
they  speedily  accomplish  and  bear  him  away 
in  triumph  to  their  ship.  This  daring  rescue, 
though  briefly  described,  is  for  its  length  the 
most  spirited  incident  in  the  whole  book.  The 
scene  appears  really  to  pass  before  the  eyes 
of  the  reader,  as  if  most  graphically  described 
by  a  recent  eye-witness  : 

They  [the  pirates]  now  appeared  on  the  scene 
— fierce  desperadoes,  as  became  their  calling — with 
features  bronzed  by  the  tropical  sun  under  which 
they  had  pursued  it.  They  rushed  at  once  among 
the  crowd,  laying  about  them  with  their  stretchers, 
and,  forcing  their  way  up  to  Cleveland,  speedily 
delivered  him  from  the  hands  of  the  officers,  who 
were  totally  unprepared  to  resist  an  attack  so  furious 
and  so  sudden,  and  carried  him  off  in  triumph  to- 
wards the  quay,  two  or  three  of  their  number  facing 
about  from  time  to  time  to  keep  back  the  crowd, 
whose  efforts  to  recover  the  prisoner  were  the  less 
violent  that  most  of  the  seamen  were  armed  with 
cutlasses  and  pistols.  They  gained  their  boat  in 
safety  and  jumped  into  it,  carrying  along  with  them 
Cleveland,  to  whom  circumstances  seemed  to  offer 
no  other  refuge,  and  pushed  off  for  their  vessel, 
singing    in    chorus    to    their   oars   an    old    ditty,   of 


The  Pirate  181 

which   the    natives  of    Kirkwall  could  only  hear  the 
first  stanza  : 

"  Robin  Rover  said  to  his  crew, 
'  Up  with  the  black  flag, 

Down  with  the  blue  ; 
Fire  on  the  main  top, 

Fire  on  the  bow ; 

Fire  on  the  gun  deck, 

Fire  down  below/  "  x 


It  is  difficult  to  help  feeling  relief  at  Cleve- 
land's rescue,  even  by  such  desperate  asso- 
ciates, yet  Scott  has  no  idea  of  making  real 
pirates  attractive.  In  their  conference  Cleve- 
land and  Bunce  are  complete  contrasts  to  all 
around,  being  evidently  ideal  characters,  while 
the  rest  are  only  too  natural  and  precisely 
what  might  be  expected  from  their  habits  and 
way  of  life. 

Cleveland  and  Bunce  appear  utterly  unfitted 
for  their  imaginary  positions,  for  two  such 
pirates  surely  never  existed  at  any  time  or  in 
any  country.  With  these  two  fanciful,  pleasing 
characters  Scott  likes  to  amuse  himself  and  his 

1  Chap,  xxxii. 


1 82  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

readers  ;  but  to  prove  that  he  knows  thoroughly 
what  the  real  pirate  article  is,  he  soon  intro- 
duces some  genuine  and  thoroughly  natural 
ruffians,  Goffe,  Hawkins,  and  Derrick,  whose 
conduct  and  language  are  probably  founded  on 
evidence  derived  from  the  actual  records  and 
trials  of  similar  desperadoes. 

Captain  Goffe  is  Cleveland's  rival,  the  older 
pirates  preferring  him,  while  the  younger  set, 
headed  by  Bunce,  incline  to  Cleveland.  Goffe 
is  said  to  be  "a  sketch  of  consummate  merit,"1 
and  so  he  probably  is,  of  the  pirate  crew ; 
but  whether  even  among  them  he  would  have 
been  chosen  as  leader  or  have  been  fit  for  the 
post  seems  doubtful  enough.  He  is  a  surly, 
drunken  ruffian,  with  a  certain  amount  of  low 
cunning,  but  apparently  not  possessing  a  single 
quality  to  raise  him  above  his  comrades.  Even 
the  boatswain,  Hawkins,  though  a  coarse, 
swearing  ruffian,  seems  to  have  rather  more 
sense  than  his  commander. 

The  scene  on  the  pirate  vessel  after  Cleve- 
land's rescue,  when  the  rival  captains  confront 
1  Shaw,  "  English  Literature." 


The  Pirate  183 

each  other,  surrounded  by  their  respective 
adherents,  though  not  very  pleasing,  is  one 
of  the  most  spirited  and  natural  in  the  whole 
book.  Though  Scott  wittily  apologises  for 
here  introducing  the  language  of  low  ruffians, 
he  well  knows  how  to  describe  them.  His 
account  of  these  "  water  thieves "  is  as  repul- 
sive, though  not  so  detailed,  as  that  of  Dickens 
when  describing  his  "land  thieves"  in  "Oliver 
Twist."  l  Dickens  may  not,  perhaps,  have  read 
this  novel,  or  he  would  hardly  have  declared 
that  "  except  in  Hogarth "  he  had  never  met 
in  books  with  actual  thieves.  The  scene  on 
the  pirate  vessel  that  Scott  here  describes 2 
seems  as  natural  as  if  told  him  by  a  hearer 
or  by  an  eye-witness.  But  the  odious,  repul- 
sive  language   of   Goffe   and   other    pirates    in- 

1  In  Shakespeare's  "  Merchant  of  Venice  "  Shylock 
the  Jew,  when  recalling  all  possible  risks  he  may 
incur  by  lending  money,  says,  "  But  ships  are  but 
boards,  sailors  but  men ;  there  be  land  rats  and 
water  rats,  land  thieves  and  water  thieves — I  mean 
pirates"  (Act  i.). 

2  Chap,  xxxiv. 


184  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

duces  Scott  to  write,  as  if  in  apology  for  intro- 
ducing it : 


.  .  .  We  may  take  notice  that  it  was  the  gracious 
custom  of  this  commander  to  mix  his  words  and 
oaths  in  nearly  equal  proportions,  which  he  was 
wont  to  call  shotting  his  discourse.  As  we  delight 
not,  however,  in  the  discharge  of  such  artillery,  we 

shall    only   indicate   by   a   space    like    this    the 

places  in  which  these  expletives  occurred,  and  thus, 
if  the  reader  will  pardon  a  very  poor  pun,  we  will 
reduce  Captain  Goffe' s  volley  of  sharp  shot  into  an 
explosion  of  blank  cartridges.  To  his  insinuations 
that  he  was  come  on  board  to  assume  the  chief 
command,  Cleveland  replied  that  he  neither  desired 
nor  would  accept  any  such  promotion,  but  would 
only  ask  Captain  Goffe  for  a  cast  of  the  boat,  to 
put  him  ashore  in  one  of  the  other  islands,  as  he 
had  no  wish  either  to  command  Goffe  or  to  remain 
in  a  vessel  under  his  orders. 

" .   .   .   By  G ,    I    think   you   are   both    mad  ! " 

said  Hawkins,  the  boatswain.  "A  meeting  with 
sword  and  pistol  may  be  devilish  good  fun  in  its 
way,  when  no  better  is  to  be  had ;  but  who  the 
devil  that  had  common  sense,  amongst  a  set  of 
gentlemen  in  our  condition,  would  fall  a-quarrel- 
ling  with  each  other  to  let  these  duck-winged,  web- 
footed  islanders  have  a  chance  of  knocking  us  all 
upon  the  head  ?" 


The  Pirate  185 

"Well  said,  old  Hawkins,"  said  Derrick,  the 
quartermaster,  who  was  an  officer  of  very  consider- 
able importance  among  these  rovers.  u  I  say,  if  the 
two  captains  won't  agree  to  live  together  quietly 
and  club  both  heart  and  hand  to  defend  the  vessel, 

why,    d n    me,    depose    them    both,    say    I,    and 

choose  another  in  their  stead." 

"  Meaning  yourself,  I  suppose,  Master  Quarter- 
master,"   said    Jack    Bunce  ;    "  but    that    cock   won't 

fight — - 

"  I  have  no  quarrel  with  any  one,"  said  Goffe 
sullenly.  "Captain  Cleveland  has  wandered  about 
among  the  islands  here  amusing  himself,  and  we 
have  wasted  our  time  and  property  in  waiting  for 
him,  when  we  might  have  been  adding  twenty  or 
thirty  thousand  dollars  to  the  stock-purse.  How- 
ever, if  it  pleases  the  rest  of  the  gentlemen-adven- 
turers— why,  I  shall  not  grumble  about  it."  .  .  . 

When  they  began  their  consultation  the  friends 
of  Goffe  remarked,  to  their  great  displeasure  .  .  . 
that  in  endeavouring  to  drown  his  mortification  at 
the  sudden  appearance  of  Cleveland  and  the  recep- 
tion he  met  with  from  the  crew,  the  elder  Captain 
had  not  been  able  to  do  so  without  overflowing 
his  reason  at  the  same  time.  His  natural  sullen 
taciturnity  had  prevented  this  from  being  observed 
until  the  council  began  its  deliberations,  when  it 
proved  impossible  to  hide  it. 

The  first  person  who  spoke  was  Cleveland,  who 
said  that,  so  far  from  wishing  to  command  the  vessel, 


1 86  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

he  desired  no  favour  at  any  one's  hand  except  to  land 
him  upon  some  island  or  holm  at  a  distance  from 
Kirkwall  and  leave  him  to  shift  for  himself.  The  boat- 
swain remonstrated  strongly  against  this  resolution. 

"  The  lads/'  he  said,  "  all  knew  Cleveland,  and 
could  trust  his  seamanship  as  well  as  his  courage  ; 
besides,  he  never  let  the  grog  get  quite  uppermost 
and  was  always  in  proper  trim,  either  to  sail  the 
ship  or  to  fight  the  ship,  whereby  she  was  never 
without  some  one  to  keep  her  course  when  he  was 
on  board.  And  as  for  the  noble  Captain  Goffe," 
continued  the  mediator,  "he  has  as  stout  a  heart  as 
ever  broke  biscuit,  and  that  I  will  uphold  him  ;  but 
then,  when  he  has  his  grog  aboard — I   speak  to  his 

face — he   is   so   d d    funny   with   his   cranks   and 

his  jests  that  there  is  no  living  with  him.  You  all 
remember  how  nigh  he  had  run  the  ship  on  that 
cursed  Horse  of  Copinsha,  as  they  call  it,  just  by 
way  of  frolic ;  and  then  you  know  how  he  fired 
off  his  pistol  under  the  table  when  we  were  at  the 
great  council  and  shot  Jack  Jenkins  in  the  knee, 
and  cost  the  poor  devil  his  leg  with  his  pleasantry."  * 


1  Scott  says  :  "  This  was  really  an  exploit  of  the 
celebrated  Avery,  the  pirate,  who  suddenly,  without 
provocation,  fired  his  pistols  under  the  table  where 
he  sat  drinking  with  his  messmates,  wounded  one 
man  severely  and  thought  the  matter  a  good  jest. 
What  is  still  more  extraordinary,  his  crew  regarded 
it  in  the  same  light." 


The  Pirate  187 

"Jack  Jenkins  was  not  a  chip  the  worse/'  said 
the  carpenter.  "  I  took  the  leg  off  with  my  saw  as 
well  as  any  loblolly-boy  in  the  land  could  have 
done — heated   my  broad   axe  and   seared   the  stump 

— ay,  by !  and  made  a  jury-leg  that  he  shambles 

about  with  as  well  as  ever  he  did,  for  Jack  could 
never  cut  a  feather."  x 

"You  are  a  clever  fellow,  carpenter,"  replied  the 

boatswain,    "a    d d  clever     fellow!    but    I    had 

rather  you  tried  your  saw  and  red-hot  axe  upon 
the  ship's  timbers  than  on  mine,  sink  me  !  But 
that  here  is  not  the  case.  The  question  is  if  we 
shall  part  with  Captain  Cleveland  here,  who  is  a 
man  of  thought  and  action,  whereby  it  is  my  belief 
it  would  be  heaving  the  pilot  overboard  when  the 
gale  is  blowing  on  a  lee-shore.  Our  water  is  well- 
nigh  out,  and  we  have  junketed  till  provisions  are 
low  with  us.  We  cannot  sail  without  provisions — 
we  cannot  get  provisions  without  the  good-will  of 
the  Kirkwall  folks.  If  we  remain  here  longer  the 
Halcyon  frigate  will  be  down  upon  us — she  was 
seen  off  Peterhead  two  days  since — and  we  shall 
hang  up  at  the  yard-arm  to  be  sun-dried.  Now, 
Captain  Cleveland  will  get  us  out  of  the  hobble, 
if  any  can.  He  can  play  the  gentleman  with 
these    Kirkwall     folks,   and  knows  how   to  deal  with 


1  "A  ship  going  fast  through  the  sea  is  said  to 
cut  a  feather,  alluding  to  the  ripple  which  she 
throws  off  from  her  bows." 


1 88  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

them  on  fair  terms,  and  foul  too,  if  there  be  occasion 
for  it." 

"  And  so  you  would  turn  honest  Captain  Goffe 
a-grazing,  would  ye  ? "  said  an  old  weather-beaten 
pirate,  who  had  but  one  eye  ;  "  what  though  he 
has  his  humours,  and  made  my  eye  dowse  the 
glim  in  his  fancies  and  frolics,  he  is  as  honest  a 
man   as   ever   walked    a   quarter-deck,   for    all    that, 

and   d n    me,    but  I    stand    by  him    so    long    as 

t'other  lantern  is  lit  ! " 

"  Why,  you  would  not  hear  me  out,"  said  Hawkins  ; 
u  a  man  might  as  well  talk  to  so  many  negers  !  I 
tell  you,  I  propose  that  Cleveland  shall  only  be 
captain  from  one,  post  meridiem,  to  five  a.m.,  during 
which  time  Goffe  is  always  drunk." 

The  Captain  of  whom  he  last  spoke  gave  suffi- 
cient proof  of  the  truth  of  his  words  by  uttering 
an  inarticulate  growl  and  attempting  to  present  a 
pistol  at  the  mediator  Hawkins. 

"Why,  look  ye  now,"  said  Derrick,  " there  is  all 
the  sense  he  has,  to  get  drunk  on  council  day,  like 
one  of  these  poor  silly  fellows  ! " 

"  Ay,"  said  Bunce,  "  drunk  as  Davy's  sow,  in  the 
face  of  the  field,  the  fray,  and  the  senate  ! " 

"But  nevertheless,"  continued  Derrick,  "it  will 
never  do  to  have  two  captains  in  the  same  day.  I 
think  week  about  might  suit  better — and  let  Cleve- 
land take  the  first  turn." 

The  matter  was  now  put  to  the  vote ;  and  so 
confident    were    the    crew    in    Cleveland's    superior 


The  Pirate  189 

address   and  management,  that  the  temporary  depo- 
sition  of   Goffe   fo 
his  own  partisans. 


sition    of   Goffe    found   little   resistance    even  among 


It  seems  impossible  that  men  possessing 
the  high  qualities  of  Cleveland  and  Bunce 
could  have  lived  among  such  comrades  or 
exercised  the  least  authority  over  them.  A 
certain  Dick  Fletcher,  however,  is  a  slight 
improvement  on  his  comrades,  and  as  devoted 
to  Bunce  as  the  latter  is  to  Cleveland,  and  even 
he  seems  out  of  place  among  such  desperate 
villains  as  the  rest.  Scott  evidently  wishes 
both  Cleveland  and  Bunce  to  interest  his 
readers,  and  yet  to  be  pirates,  as  it  were,  by 
chance  ;  but  he  is  equally  resolved  not  to 
make  a  pirate's  life  the  least  attractive  even 
to  the  most  excitable  of  youths.  Some  gifted 
authors  without  his  sound  sense  and  morality 
would  have  described  this  pirate  crew  as  brave, 
dashing,  agreeable  fellows,  perhaps  a  little 
careless  about  the  rights  of  property,  yet  still 
highly  attractive  and  romantic ;  but  Scott  has 
no    such    idea    of    violating    truth.       Cleveland 


i  go  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

and  Bunce  are  his  own  pure  inventions,  and 
he  has  a  perfect  right  to  represent  them  as  he 
pleases,  and  he  certainly  succeeds  in  making 
them  utterly  unlike  their  associates,  whose  re- 
pulsive conduct  and  language  are  described, 
though  briefly,  yet  as  plainly  and  naturally 
as  if  derived  from  some  police  report. 

A  private  council  is  held  among  the  pirates, 
anxious  to  obtain  provisions  from  the  Kirk- 
wall people,  who  are  suspicious,  and  averse 
to  having  any  intercourse  with  such  doubtful 
customers.  It  is  now  stated  also  that  an 
English  ship,  the  Halcyon,  Captain  Weather- 
port,  is  fast  approaching  the  Orkneys,  and  it 
is  absolutely  necessary  to  lay  in  supplies  on 
board  the  pirate  vessel  before  she  can  take 
to  flight.  For  this  purpose  Cleveland  again 
goes  to  Kirkwall  with  Goffe,  and  remains 
three  days  as  a  hostage,  while  the  Kirkwall 
folks  pitch  upon  the  luckless  Scottish  factor, 
Yellowley,  as  a  fit  hostage  to  return  with 
Goffe  to  the  pirate  vessel.  This  is  a  very 
amusing  scene,  ending  in  Goffe  slyly  releas- 
ing   the    terrified    Yellowley,    and    immediately 


The  Pirate  191 

trying  to    supplant    Cleveland  among   his   asso- 
ciates. 

The  troubles  of  Triptolemus  Yellowley,  evi- 
dently an  enterprising  Scottish  man  among  the 
ignorant  Zetlanders,  he  himself  amusingly  relates 
to  Cleveland,  whom  he  meets  at  Kirkwall,  and 
had  previously  known  when  a  guest  with  him 
at  the  hospitable  home  of  Magnus  Troil. 
When  Cleveland  asks  this  poor  disappointed 
agriculturist  if  his  bees,  which  he  had  brought 
to  Zetland,  are  thriving,  Triptolemus  has  to 
reply  : 

"  Thrive  !  they  thrive  like  everything  else  in  this 
country,  and  that's  in  the  backward  way." 

"  Want  of  care,  I  suppose  ?  "  said  Cleveland. 

"The  contrary,  sir,  quite  the  contrary,"  replied 
the  factor ;  "  they  died  of  ower  muckle  care,  like 
Lucky  Christie's  chickens.  I  asked  to  see  the  skeps, 
and  cunning  and  joyful  did  the  fallow  look  who 
was  to  have  taken  care  of  them.  '  Had  there  been 
anybody  in  charge  but  mysell,'  he  said,  '  ye  might 
have  seen  the  skeps  or  whatever  ye  ca'  them  ;  but 
there  wad  hae  been  as  mony  solan  geese  as  flees 
in  them,  if  it  hadna  been  for  my  four  quarters  ;  for 
I  watched  them  so  closely,  that  I  saw  them  a' 
creeping  out  at  the  little  holes  one  sunny  morning, 


i g2  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

and  if  I  had  not  stopped  the  leak  on  the  instant 
with  a  bit  clay,  the  deil  a  bee,  or  flee,  or  whatever 
they  are,  would  have  been  left  in  the  skeps,  as  ye 
ca'  them!'  In  a  word,  sir,  he  had  clagged  up  the 
hives,  as  if  the  puir  things  had  had  the  pestilence, 
and  my  bees  were  as  dead  as  if  they  had  been 
smeaked." 

Cleveland  then  asks  : 

"How  does  the  orchard  thrive?" 

"Oh,  Captain,  this  same  Solomon  of  the  Orcadian 
Ophir — I  say  this  wise  man  had  watered  the  young 
apple-trees,  in  his  great  tenderness,  with  hot  water, 
and  they  are  perished,  root  and  branch."  x 

Magnus  Troil,  his  daughters  and  Halcro, 
are  captured  in  a  boat  by  Bunce,  Fletcher, 
and  other  pirates,  and  though  these  gentry 
behave  with  some  degree  of  civility,  they  yet 
fall  fearfully  short  of  the  romantic  sea-kings  of 
poor  Minna's  powerful  imagination.  She  hears, 
however,  of  Cleveland's  danger  in  Kirkwall, 
and  being  released  with  her  sister,  she  hastens 
thither,  while  Bunce  retains  her  father  as 
hostage   for   Cleveland's   safety.      The   meeting 

1  Chap.  xxxv. 


The  Pirate  193 

between  Bunce  and  Halcro,  two  stage-struck 
oddities,  amateur  poet  and  amateur  pirate,  is 
clever  and  amusing,  though  both  seem  placed 
in  an  almost  impossible  situation.  Bunce,  it 
seems,  had  met  Halcro  in  former  times,  under 
very  different  circumstances,  theatrical  and 
peaceful,  and  he  exclaims  at  recognition  : 

"Why,  you  are  the  little  fellow  that  played  the 
fiddle  to  old  manager  Gadabout's  company.  ...  I 
thought  I  knew  your  catchword  of  Glorious  John."  « 

Scott  adds  : 

At  another  time  this  recognition  might  not  have 
been  very  grateful  to  Halcro's  minstrel  pride  ;  but 
as  matters  stood  with  him  the  discovery  of  a  golden 
mine  could  not  have  made  him  more  happy.  He 
instantly  remembered  the  very  hopeful  young  per- 
former who  came  out  in  Don  Sebastian,  and 
judiciously  added  that  the  muse  of  glorious  John 
Dryden  had  never  received  such  excellent  support 
during  the  time  that  he  was  first  (he  might  have 
added,  and  only)  violin  to  Mr.  Gadabout's  com- 
pany. .  .  . 

Bunce,    or   Altamont,    wrung    his    hand    tenderly. 


1  Chap,  xxxvi. 
13 


194  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

"Ah,  you  flatter  me,  my  dear  friend,"  he  said,  "yet 
why  had  not  the  public  some  of  your  judgment  ? 
I  should  not  then  have  been  at  this  pass.  Heaven 
knows,  my  dear  Mr.  Halcro — Heaven  knows  with 
what  pleasure  I  could  keep  you  on  board  with  me 
.  .  .  how  delightful  it  would  be  in  a  tropic  night, 
when  the  ship  was  hanging  on  the  breeze,  with  a 
broad  and  steady  sail,  for  me  to  rehearse  Alexander, 
with  you  for  my  pit,  box,  and  gallery  !  Nay  (for 
you  are  a  follower  of  the  Muses,  as  I  remember), 
who  knows  but  you  and  I  might  be  the  means  of 
inspiring,  like  Orpheus  and  Eurydice,  a  pure  taste 
into  our  companions,  and  softening  their  manners 
while  we  excited  their  better  feelings  ?  " 

This  was  spoken  with  so  much  unction  that 
Claud  Halcro  began  to  be  afraid  he  had  both  made 
the  actual  punch  over-potent,  and  mixed  too  many 
bewitching  ingredients  in  the  cup  of  flattery  which 
he  had  administered  ;  and  that,  under  the  influence 
of  both  potions,  the  sentimental  pirate  might  detain 
him  by  force,  merely  to  realise  the  scenes  which 
his  imagination  presented. 

Minna  soon  has  an  interview  with  Cleveland 
in  the  Kirkwall  prison,  and  finding  she  cannot 
procure  his  release  in  exchange  for  her  father, 
entreats  Cleveland  to  muffle  himself  in  her 
cloak  and  escape  while  she  remains  in  his 
place. 


The  Pirate  195 

At  this  moment  Noma,  who  is  almost  as 
mysterious  and  potent  as  a  fairy  queen,  appears, 
and  forbiddino;  Cleveland  and  Minna  ever  to 
meet  again,  ridicules  Minna's  plan  of  disguis- 
ing Cleveland,  but  engages  to  deliver  him  her- 
self, which  she  does,  and  Minna  departs. 
Noma  secretly  conducts  Cleveland  from  the 
prison,  and  has  a  long  interview  with  him, 
vainly  trying  to  make  him  abandon  all  thoughts 
of  marrying  Minna,  whom  she  wishes  to 
wed  her  favourite,  Mordaunt  Mertoun,  now  re- 
covered by  her  care  from  the  wounds  inflicted 
by  Cleveland.  When  the  latter  rejoins  his 
wild  associates,  he  finds  them  busilv  eneaofed 
trying  to  lay  in  stores  for  their  coming  voyage, 
which  they  find  hard  to  obtain  from  the  dis- 
trustful people  of  Kirkwall,  and  they  long  to 
be  off  as  soon  as  possible,  dreading  the  ex- 
pected arrival  of  the  Halcyon.  Cleveland, 
however,  resolves  to  see  Minna  again  before 
leaving  these  islands,  and  has  a  last  interview 
with  her  near  Kirkwall. 

Mordaunt  Mertoun  now  reappears,  command- 
ing some  soldiers    or  sentinels    to  defend  Kirk- 


196  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

wall  from  any  attack  of  the  pirates,  and  is 
horrified  at  hearing  from  Brenda  of  the  intended 
meeting  between  her  sister  and  Cleveland. 
He  resolves,  however,  to  permit  it  without 
attempting  to  arrest  Cleveland,  which  he  at 
first  desired.  Meanwhile  Bunce  forms  a  plan, 
which  in  real  life  would  have  been  an  utter 
absurdity,  to  accompany  Cleveland  with  a  band 
of  pirates,  wait  patiently  till  their  conversation 
is  over,  and  then  carry  them  both  off  by  force 
to  the  pirate  vessel.  Cleveland  is  ignorant  of 
this  friendly  plot,  and  while  parting  from 
Minna,  Bunce  and  his  followers  rush  upon 
them,  while  about  the  same  time  Mordaunt 
Mertoun  and  his  soldiers  appear,  and  a  strange 
scuffle  ensues,  in  which  Cleveland  shoots  one 
of  his  followers,  and  he  is  captured  with  Bunce 
and  Fletcher,  and  lodged  in  Kirkwall  jail,  where 
Fletcher  dies  of  his  wounds,  and  Cleveland 
and  Bunce  are  left  alone  together.  They  soon 
perceive  from  their  prison  window  the  arrival 
of  the  Halcyon,  which  immediately  gives  chase 
to  the  pirate  vessel.  A  desperate  sea  fight 
ensues,    which    Scott    describes,    however,   very 


The  Pirate  197 

briefly,  though  he  might  have  made  much 
more  of  it.  But  he  is  apparently  embarrassed 
at  the  close  of  this  story  by  having  placed 
imaginary  pirates  in  an  interesting  situation, 
while  resolved  that  his  readers  shall  feel  no 
sympathy  for  those  who  really  represent  so  dan- 
gerous a  class.  Instead,  therefore,  of  making 
Cleveland  and  Bunce  die  bravely  defending 
their  vessel,  he  suffers  them  merely  to 
witness  her  destruction  from  their  prison,  and 
then  brings  them,  together  with  the  captured 
crew,  before  Captain  Weatherport  and  the 
Kirkwall  magistrates. 

Meanwhile  the  elder  Mertoun  has  had  another 
interview  with  Noma,  revealing  to  her  that 
Cleveland  is  their  son,  instead  of  Mordaunt, 
as  Noma  had  hitherto  believed.  This  secret 
marriage  between  Mertoun  and  Noma  is  only 
obscurely  hinted  at  till  this  interview,  when 
Mertoun  confesses  that,  after  deserting  her,  he 
married  a  Spaniard,  by  whom  he  had  young 
Mordaunt,  but  whose  faithless  character  made 
him  doubt  if  Mordaunt  was  really  his  son. 
Mertoun,    whose    real   name  is    Vaughan,   hints 


1 98  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

that  he  killed  either  this  woman  or  her  para- 
mour, and  had  to  fly  from  America  in  con- 
sequence. He  then  became  a  pirate  himself, 
and  involved  his  elder  son,  Clement  Cleveland 
or  Vaughan,  in  the  same  desperate  career. 
Noma,  who  had  previously  sent  to  Captain 
Weatherport  to  hasten  his  pursuit  of  the  pirate 
vessel,  now  believes  that  she  has  either  caused 
or  hastened  the  probable  execution  of  her  un- 
known son,  and,  overcome  by  this  idea,  faints 
away,  while  Vaughan  rushes  off  to  try  and 
save  the  unfortunate  pirate. 

He  finds  Cleveland  and  his  associates  before 
Captain  Weatherport  and  the  Provost  of  Kirk- 
wall, and  confessing  his  real  name  of  Basil 
Vaughan,  entreats  that  he,  the  old  pirate,  may 
suffer  in  place  of  the  young  one.  Captain 
Weatherport,  however,  assures  him  that  his 
own  life  is  now  safe  "under  two  proclamations 
of  mercy,"  and  on  referring  to  some  valuable 
papers,  finds  that  Cleveland  and  Bunce  had  on 
one  fortunate  occasion  saved  the  daughters  of  a 
Spanish  nobleman  from  the  brutality  of  their 
followers.     This   one    good    action    had    caused 


The  Pirate  199 

special  intercession  to  be  made  by  this  Spanish 
gentleman,  the  Governor  of  Ouempoa,  to  save 
the  lives  of  these  two  in  the  probable  event  of 
their  future  capture. 

Thus,  while  the  rest  of  the  pirates  are  sent 
to  London  to  be  tried  and  probably  executed, 
as  is  clearly  hinted,  Cleveland  and  Bunce  enter 
the  British  Navy  and  sail  for  the  West  Indies 
under  Captain  Weatherport,  who  thinks  he  can 
turn  their  knowledge  of  these  coasts  and  seas 
to  the  public  service.  Cleveland  is  killed  some 
years  after,  while  Minna  dies  unmarried.  She 
specially  devoted  herself  to  the  care  of  Noma, 
whose  insane  delusions  are  made  gradually  to 
yield  to  religious  thoughts  and  convictions. 
Mertoun,  alias  Vaughan,  is  supposed  to  enter 
a  foreign  convent,  while  Mordaunt  and  Brenda 
marry,  and  live  happily.  It  has  been  said 
that  the  famous  story  of  Robinson  Crusoe 
has  inclined  some  boys  to  become  sailors,  or 
at  least  greatly  increased  a  natural  fancy  for 
the  naval  profession.  Also  that  the  tale  of 
Jack  Sheppard  has  inclined  many  idle  or 
excitable  youths   to  acts  of  robbery.      But  cer- 


200  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

tainly  Scott's  "  Pirate "  could  never  incline  any 
one  to  admire,  or  even  extenuate,  a  life  of  piracy. 
The  pirate  hero  himself  is  constantly  regretting 
his  sad  fate  in  living  among  such  hateful 
associates,  who  have,  indeed,  nothing  in  common, 
except  courage,  with  him  or  with  Bunce.  That 
Scott  might  have  made  his  story  more  interesting 
by  causing  Cleveland  to  die  defending  his  ship 
is  probable,  but  such  a  fate  might  have  had 
no  good  effect  among  some  of  his  younger 
readers.  For  there  is  nothing  more  dangerous 
to  the  public  interest  than  when  able  writers 
attempt  to  make  criminals  attractive,  or  even 
interesting  as  such.  This  dangerous  mistake 
is  eloquently  censured  by  Charles  Dickens,  who 
takes  such  special  care  that  his  thieves  should 
attract  no  one,  but,  on  the  contrary,  be  repre- 
sented in  their  true  nature.1 

1  "  I  had  read  of  thieves  by  scores  —  seductive 
fellows  (amiable  for  the  most  part),  faultless  in  dress, 
plump  in  pocket,  choice  in  horseflesh,  bold  in  bear- 
ing, fortunate  in  gallantry,  great  at  a  song,  a  bottle, 
a  pack  of  cards,  or  dice-box,  and  fit  companions 
for  the   bravest.     But    I   have   never  met   (except  in 


The  Pirate  201 

Though  Scott  draws  a  pirate  hero,  he  care- 
fully distinguishes  him  throughout  from  his 
savage  associates  in  feeling  and  sentiment, 
finally  making  him  witness  their  capture  with 
little  sympathy,  and  even  serve  loyally  under 
the  same  officer  who  effects  it. 

Thus  terminates  this  remarkable  and  original 
story,  the  scene  being  laid  so  entirely  in  the 
Orkney  and  Zetland  Isles,  among  pirates,  whale 
fishing,  sea  storms,  and  Zetlanders,  that  the 
reader  seems  to  inhale  the  fresh  sea  breeze 
from  the  pages  in  which  Scott's  genius  has 
invested  even  these  barren,  remote  islands  with 
such  new  and  peculiar  interest. 

Hogarth)  with  the  miserable  reality.  It  appeared 
to  me  that  to  draw  a  knot  of  such  associates  in 
crime  as  really  do  exist  .  .  .  would  be  to  attempt 
something  which  was  greatly  needed,  and  which 
would  be  a  service  to  society,  and  therefore  I  did 
it  as  I  best  could." — Preface  to  "  Oliver  Twist." 


THE   SURGEON'S    DAUGHTER 


CHAPTER   VIII 

THE  SURGEON'S  DAUGHTER 

"^HIS  story,  partly  founded  on  fact,  but 
■*■  chiefly  due  to  Scott's  imagination,  is  the 
only  one  of  his  novels  which  refers  to  India. 
It  has  hardly,  perhaps,  obtained  as  much  notice 
as  it  deserves,  for  though  comparatively  short 
and  melancholy,  it  has  many  passages  of  interest 
and  beauty  of  expression.  The  heroine,  Miss 
Menie  Gray,  her  worthy  father,  Dr.  Gray,  and 
her  rival  lovers,  Adam  Hartley  and  Richard 
Middlemas,  are  all  Scottish  people.  Hartley 
is  frank,  brave,  and  generous,  while  Middlemas 
is,  perhaps,  one  of  the  basest  of  all  Scott's 
characters,  yet  the  unfortunate  Menie  prefers 
him,  handsome  and  insinuating,  to  the  more 
straightforward   and   honest    Hartley. 

The    beginning   of  the    story  is    in    Scotland, 

205 


206  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

but  its  chief  interest  begins  when,  after  Dr. 
Gray's  death,  these  three  young  people  are 
all  in  India.  Here,  indeed,  was  a  new  field 
for  Scott's  genius.  He  owns  it  to  be  so,  in 
earnest,  spirited  language,  when  contemplating 
writing  this  story,  to  his  friend  Mr.  Fairscribe, 
a  relative  of  the  real  Miss  Gray,  whose  interest- 
ing story  Scott  heard  first  from  him.  Mr. 
Fairscribe,  apparently  a  rather  prejudiced 
Scottish  Lowlander,  thus  reproaches  Scott  in 
an  imaginary  conversation  for  overpraising  the 
Highlanders  in  his  novels,  and  certainly 
"  Waverley,"  "  Rob  Roy,"  and  others  succeeded 
wonderfully  in  making  these  mountaineers  more 
interesting  than  ever  before  to  English  readers. 
Fairscribe  thus  remonstrates  with  his  literary 
friend  : 


"You  have  brought  in  Highlanders  into  every 
story  as  if  you  were  going  back  again,  ' velis  et 
remiSy  into  the  old  days  of  Jacobitism.  ...  I  wish 
to  Heaven  all  this  tartan  fever  bode  well  to  the 
Protestant  succession  and  the   Kirk  of  Scotland." 

a  Both  too  well  settled,  I  hope,  in  the  minds 
of    the    subject,"    said    I,   "  to    be    affected    by   old 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  207 

remembrances  on  which  we  look  back  as  on  the 
portraits  of  our  ancestors,  without  recollecting,  while 
we  gaze  on  them,  any  of  the  feuds  by  which  the 
originals  were  animated  while  alive.  But  most 
happy  should  I  be  to  light  upon  any  topic  to  supply 
the  place  of  the  Highlands,  Mr.  Fairscribe." 

The  latter  replies  suggesting  a  new  subject 
to  Scott  : 

"  I  think  you  might  do  with  your  Muse  of 
Fiction,  as  you  call  her,  as  many  an  honest  man 
does  with  his  own  sons  in  flesh  and  blood.  .  .  . 
Send  her  to  India,  to  be  sure.  That  is  the  true 
place  for  a  Scot  to  thrive  in.  .  .  .  For  great  exploits, 
you  have  in  the  old  history  of  India,  before  Europeans 
were  numerous  there,  the  most  wonderful  deeds, 
done  by  the  least  possible  means,  that  perhaps  the 
annals  of  the  world  can  afford." 

Scott  replies,  liking  the  proposed  subject  and 
perhaps  modestly  exaggerating  his  own  ignorance 
of  it : 

"  I  know  it,"  said  I,  kindling  at  the  ideas  his 
speech  inspired.  "  I  remember,  in  the  delightful 
pages  of  Orme,  the  interest  which  mingles  in  his 
narrative    from    the    very  small    number   of   English 


208  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

which  are  engaged.  Each  officer  of  a  regiment 
becomes  known  to  you  by  name,  nay,  the  non- 
commissioned officers  and  privates  acquire  an 
individual  share  of  interest.  .  .  .  What  do  I  say  ? 
They  are  like  Homer's  demi-gods  among  the  warring 
mortals.  Men  like  Clive  and  Caillard  influenced 
great  events  like  Jove  himself.  Inferior  officers 
are  like  Mars  or  Neptune,  and  the  sergeants  and 
corporals  might  well  pass  for  demi-gods.  Then 
the  various  religious  costumes,  habits,  and  manners 
of  the  people  of  Hindostan — the  patient  Hindoo,  the 
warlike  Rajpoot,  the  haughty  Moslemah,  the  savage 
and  vindictive  Malay — glorious  and  unbounded  sub- 
jects !  The  only  objection  is  that  I  have  never 
been  there,  and  know  nothing  at  all  about  them." 

After  this  emphatic  denial  by  Scott  of  all 
knowledge  about  India  and  its  people,  it  was 
hardly  to  be  expected  that  he  would  introduce 
much  about  Indian  history  or  characters  in  this 
novel.  He  has,  however,  brought  in  two  Indian 
princes,  father  and  son,  Hyder  Ali  and  Tippoo 
Sahib,  in  the  south  of  India,  whose  wars 
with  the  British  were  then  specially  known 
to  the  British  public.  But  his  hero  and 
heroine,  Menie  Gray  and  Adam  Hartley,  with 
her  treacherous  lover,   Richard    Middlemas,   are 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  209 

alike  strangely  involved  with  the  scenes  and 
inhabitants  of  Hindostan.  Scott's  noble  com- 
parison of  the  British  in  India  to  "the  demi- 
gods of  classic  history  among  the  warring 
mortals,"  would  perhaps  not  please  either  the 
Mohammedan  or  Hindoo  inhabitants  of  India, 
but  probably  this  work  has  seldom  been  read 
by  many  of  them.  Though  the  larger  and 
most  important  part  of  this  story  is  laid  in 
India,  there  are  some  fine  passages  in  its  earlier 
part  referring  to  Scotland  and  to  the  Isle  of 
Wight. 

Despite  Scott's  knowledge  of  and  admiration 
for  the  very  different  beauties  of  Scottish 
scenery,  he  yet  acknowledges  the  attraction 
of  the  latter  in  words  gratifying  to  its  in- 
habitants  even  to  this  day.     He  writes  : 

That  beautiful  island  which  he  who  once  sees 
never  forgets,  through  whatever  part  of  the  world 
his  future  path  may  lead  him.1 

The  death  of  the    unfortunate  Mrs.  Withering- 
ton,2  mother  of   Middlemas,   the   villain  in    this 

1  Chap,  vi.  2  Chap.  viii. 

14 


210  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

story,  is  described  in  language  which  few  indeed 
but  Walter  Scott  could  command  ;  pathetic  and 
powerful,  without  sentimental  exaggeration,  it 
indicates  an  appreciation  of  music  which  Scott 
rarely  expresses.  General  and  Mrs.  Zilia 
Witherington,  the  latter  a  great  invalid,  meet 
and  recognise  their  illegitimate  son  Richard 
Middlemas,  who  does  not  know  them.  He 
thus  unconsciously  reproaches  both  parents, 
while  thanking  his  father. 
He  exclaims  : 


"...  How  much  greater  a  debt  do  I  owe  you 
than  to  the  unnatural  parents  who  brought  me  into 
this  world  by  their  sin  and  deserted  me  through 
their  cruelty  ! " 

Zilia,  as  she  heard  these  cutting  words,  flung 
back  her  veil.  .  .  .  "  Did  you  hear  him,  Richard  ? " 
she  exclaimed,  in  accents  terribly  loud,  considering 
the  exhausted  state  of  her  strength.  "  Did  you  hear 
the  words  ?  It  was  Heaven  speaking  our  condem- 
nation by  the  voice  of  our  own  child.  But  do  not 
fear,  my  Richard,  do  not  weep  !  I  will  answer  the 
thunder  of  Heaven  with  its  own  music." 

She  flew  to  a  harpsichord  which  stood  in  the 
room,  .  .  .  she   wandered   over   the  keys,  producing 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  211 

a  wilderness  of  harmony  composed  of  passages  re- 
called by  memory  or  combined  by  her  own  musical 
talent,  until  at  length  her  voice  and  instrument 
united  in  one  of  those  magnificent  hymns  in  which 
her  youth  had  praised  her  Maker  with  voice  and 
harp,  like  the  Royal  Hebrew  who  composed  it. 
The  tear  ebbed  insensibly  from  the  eyes  which  she 
turned  upwards — her  vocal  tones  combining  with 
those  of  the  instrument  rose  to  a  pitch  of  brilliancy 
seldom  attained  by  the  most  distinguished  performers 
and  then  sunk  into  a  dying  cadence  which  fell  never 
again  to  rise — for  the  songstress  had  died  with  her 
strain. 

The  main  interest  of  this  singular  story  lies 
in  the  south  of  India.  This  rich,  beautiful 
country,  the  most  important  of  all  the  British 
conquests  and  dependencies,  Scott  had  never 
seen.  But  he  had  avowedly  read  India's  history 
attentively,  following  British  conquests  therein 
with  natural  pride  and  gratification.  He  had, 
moreover,  doubtless  conversed  with  people  well 
acquainted  with  it ;  and  thus,  though  without 
personal  experience,  he  is  able  to  describe  part 
of  its  scenery,  as  well  as  two  of  its  historical 
characters — the  King,  Hyder  Ali,  and  his  son 
Tippoo    Sahib — with    much    of   his    usual    spirit 


212  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

and  interest.  At  the  beginning  of  the  story- 
Scott  shows  some  national  pride  when  men- 
tioning British  triumphs  in  India,  but  he 
describes  no  battles  or  any  kind  of  warfare. 

Later  on  Scott  gradually  involves  his  three 
Scottish  characters — Menie  Gray  and  her  two 
lovers,  the  honest  Hartley  and  the  false  Middle- 
mas,  with  the  Indian  princes,  the  brave  Hyder 
Ali  and  his  son,  the  licentious  Tippoo.  Hartley, 
a  young  medical  man,  succeeds  in  healing  a 
certain  Mohammedan  Fakir  ! — an  agent,  adher- 
ent, and  spy  of  the  Nawaub  Hyder  Ali.  As 
in  the  "  Talisman, "  Scott  apparently  likes  to 
describe  favourably  the  few  Mohammedans 
whom  he  ever  notices,  investing  them  with 
an  interest  and  attributing  to  them  a  majestic 
style  of  speaking,  rendering  them  more  at- 
tractive than  the  accounts  of  many  modern 
travellers  or  residents  represent  them. 

Hartley   enters   the   chamber   of  the   patient, 
called  Barak-el- Hadgi,   and,   to    the  latter's  sur- 
prise, refuses  a  valuable  ring  from  the  grateful 
Fakir   as    a   reward  for   his   medical   services : 2 
1  A  religious  ascetic,  or  begging  monk.       2  Chap.  x. 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  213 

"  A    Feringhi    can    then    refuse    gold  ! "    said   the 
Fakir.     "  I  thought   they  took  it  from   every  hand," 


and  likely  such  was  the  usual  rule  with  Euro- 
peans, whether  travellers,  soldiers,  or  rulers,  in 
India  at  this  time  ;  but  the  generous  nature  of 
Hartley  induces  him  to  reply,  while  availing 
himself  of  the  usual  respect  in  which  the 
Book,  or  Old  Testament,  is  received  alike  by 
Jews,  Christians,  and  Mohammedans  : 

"The  Book  says  that  it  is  Allah1  who  closes  and 
who  enlarges  the  heart.  Frank  and  Mussalman  are 
alike  moulded  by  His  pleasure." 

These  words  were  well  suited  to  the  devout 
Mohammedan,  who  exclaims  : 

"  My  brother  hath  spoken  wisely.  Welcome  the 
disease,  if  it  bring  thee  acquainted  with  a  wise 
physician.  For  what  said  the  poet  ? — '  It  is  well  to 
have  fallen  to  the  earth,  if  while  grovelling  there 
thou  shalt  discover  a  diamond.' " 


1  The  Creator. 


214  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

Scott  continues  : 

The  physician  made  repeated  visits  to  his  patient, 
and  continued  to  do  so  even  after  the  health  of 
Barak-el- Hadgi  was  completely  restored.  He  had  no 
difficulty  in  discerning  in  him  one  of  those  secret 
agents  frequently  employed  by  Asiatic  sovereigns. 
.  .  .  Barak  talked  often  amid  their  private  conver- 
sations of  the  power  and  dignity  of  the  Nawaub  of 
Mysore ;  and  Hartley  had  little  doubt  that  he  came 
from  the  Court  of  Hyder  Ali  on  some  secret 
mission,  perhaps  for  achieving  a  more  solid  peace 
betwixt  that  able  and  sagacious  Prince  and  the 
East  India  Company's  Government — that  which 
existed  for  the  time  being  regarded  on  both  parts 
as  little  more  than  a  hollow  and  insincere  truce. 
He  told  many  stories  to  the  advantage  of  this 
Prince,  who  certainly  was  one  of  the  wisest  that 
Hindostan  could  boast,  and,  amidst  great  crimes 
perpetrated  to  gratify  his  ambition,  displayed  many 
instances  of  princely  generosity,  and,  what  was  a 
little  more  surprising,  of  even-handed  justice. 

On  one  occasion,  shortly  before  Barak-el- Hadgi 
left  Madras,  he  visited  the  doctor  and  partook  of 
his  sherbet,  which  he  preferred  to  his  own,  perhaps 
because  a  few  glasses  of  rum  or  brandy  were 
usually  added  to  enrich  the  compound.  It  might 
be  owing  to  repeated  applications  to  the  jar  which 
contained  this  generous  fluid  that  the  Pilgrim  became 
more  than  usually  frank  in  his  communications.  .  .  . 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  215 

"  Brother  of  my  soul,"  he  said,  "  do  but  think 
if  thou  needest  aught  that  the  all-powerful  Hyder 
Ali  Khan  Behauder  can  give,  and  then  use  not  the 
intercession  of  those  who  dwell  in  palaces,  and 
wear  jewels  in  their  turbans,  but  seek  the  cell  of 
thy  brother  at  the  Great  City  which  is  Seringapa- 
tam.  And  the  poor  Fakir,  in  his  torn  cloak,  shall 
better  advance  thy  suit  with  the  Nawaub  "  (for 
Hyder  did  not  assume  the  title  of  Sultan)  "than 
they  who   sit  upon  seats   of   honour  in  the  Divan." 

With  these  and  sundry  other  expressions  of  regard 
he  exhorted  Hartley  to  come  into  the  Mysore  and 
look  upon  the  face  of  the  Great  Prince,  whose 
glance  inspired  wisdom  and  whose  nod  conferred 
wealth,  so  that  Folly  or  Poverty  could  not  appear 
before  him.  .  .  . 

.  .  .  The  friends  parted  with  mutual  good  wishes, 

but  Barak  also  gave  Hartley  a  present  of  rare 
peculiar  value,  in  the  shape  of  a  passport, 
saying  : 

"The  head  of  him  who  should  disrespect  this 
safe-conduct  shall  not  be  more  safe  than  that  of 
the  barley-stalk  which  the  reaper  has  grasped  in 
his  hand.  .  .  ." 

It  was  several  months  after  Barak  had  returned 
to  the  interior  of  India  that  Hartley  was  astonished 
by    an     unexpected     rencounter.     The     ships     from 


216  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

Europe  had  but  lately  arrived,  and  had  brought 
over  their  usual  cargo  of  boys  longing  to  be  com- 
manders and  young  women  without  any  purpose 
of  being  married,  but  whom  a  pious  duty  to  some 
brother,  some  uncle,  or  other  male  relative  had  brought 
to  India  to  keep  his  house  until  they  should  find 
themselves  in  one  of  their  own.  Dr.  Hartley  hap- 
pened to  attend  a  public  breakfast  given  on  this 
occasion  by  a  gentleman  high  in  the  service. 

Here  the  rencounter  Scott  mentions  took  place. 
Hartley  beheld  a  stately  lady,  splendidly 
dressed,  and  so  remarkable-looking  that  he 
asks   a   friend : 

"  For  Heaven's  sake,  what  is  that  for  a  Zenobia  ?  " 

Evidently  this  stately,  magnificently  dressed 
lady  in  gorgeous  Oriental  costume,  and  treated 
with  great  respect  by  all  around,  recalled  to 
young  Hartley's  mind  the  heroic  Syrian  queen 
of  classic  times,  whom  he  had  doubtless  read 
of,  admired,  and  pitied.  Scott's  Madame  de 
Montreville,  however,  far  more  resembles 
Shakespeare's  description  of  Cleopatra,  being 
a    mixture    of    cunning,    ferocity,   jealousy,    and 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  217 

intrigue.  She  seems,  indeed,  to  combine  the 
worst  qualities  of  the  European  and  Asiatic 
character ;  but  she  is  not  very  fully  described, 
though  everything  that  is  said  or  indicated 
about  her  represents  one  of  the  most  dan- 
gerous and  hateful  of  all  Scott's  female 
characters. 

Hartley  is  surprised  to  hear  one  of  the  com- 
pany at  the  breakfast  exclaim  at  the  sight  of 
her  : 


"Angels  and  ministers!  there  is  our  old  acquaint- 
ance, the  Queen  of  Sheba,  returned  upon  our  hands 
like  unsaleable  goods." 

Hartley  now  hears  that  she  is  the  daughter  of 
a  Scottish  emigrant,  widow  of  a  French  or 
Swiss  officer  named  Montreville,  and  often 
named,  or  rather  nicknamed,  the  Queen  of 
Sheba.  Hartley,  while  listening  to  this  ac- 
count, recognises  Menie  Gray  seated  near  and 
partly  hid  by  the  portly  form  of  this  majestic 
lady.  He  approaches  her,  but  though  she 
never   spoke, 


218  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

she  slightly  touched  her  upper  lip  with  her  fore- 
finger, 

a  slight  gesture  which  Hartley  construes  into 
wishing  him  not  to  speak  to  her  at  that  time. 
The  haughty,  if  not  insolent,  Madame  Montre- 
ville,  however,  observing  Hartley's  anxiety  and 
embarrassment,  addressed  him  in  English, 

which  savoured  slightly  of  a  Swiss  patois :  "  You 
haave  come  to  us  very  fast,  sir,  to  say  nothing 
at  all," 

and  sharply  asks : 

"Are  you  sure  that  you  did  not  get  your  tongue 
stolen  by  the  way  ? " 

Hartley  apologises,  while  Menie  repeats  her 
sign  to  say  no  more  at  present,  and  Hartley 
returns  to  two  English  friends — Major  Mercer 
and  Mr.  Butler — and  hears  from  them  an 
account  of  this  mysterious  Queen  of  Sheba 
calculated  to  arouse  the  curiosity  of  any  one. 
Her  foreign  husband,  an  officer  in  the  French 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  219 

army,   had  tried    to    make  himself  independent, 
and,   Mr.   Butler  related  : 


"...  commenced  soldier  on  his  own  account. 
He  got  possession  of  a  fort  under  pretence  of  keep- 
ing it  for  some  simple  Rajah  or  other;  assembled 
around  him  a  parcel  of  desperate  vagabonds,  of 
every  colour  in  the  rainbow ;  occupied  a  consider- 
able territory,  of  which  he  raised  the  duties  in  his 
own  name,  and  declared  for  independence.  But 
Hyder  understood  no  such  interloping  proceedings, 
and  down  he  came,  besieged  the  fort,  and  took  it, 
though  some  pretend  it  was  betrayed  to  him  by 
this  very  woman.  Be  that  as  it  may,  the  poor 
Swiss  was  found  dead  on  the  ramparts.  Certain  it 
is  she  received  large  sums  of  money  under  pretence 
of  paying  off  her  troops,  surrendering  of  hill-forts, 
and  Heaven  knows  what  besides.  She  was  per- 
mitted to  retain  some  insignia  of  royalty,  and  as 
she  was  wont  to  talk  of  Hyder  as  the  Eastern 
Solomon,  she  generally  became  known  by  the  title 
of  Queen  of  Sheba.  She  leaves  her  Court  when 
she  pleases.  ...  In  a  word,  she  does  pretty  much 
as  she  likes.  The  great  folks  here  are  civil  to  her, 
though  they  look  on  her  as  little  better  than  a  spy. 
As  to  Hyder,  it  is  supposed  he  has  insured  her  fidelity 
by  borrowing  the  greater  part  of  her  treasures,  which 
prevents  her  from  daring  to  break  with  him — besides 
other  causes  that  smack  of  scandal  of  another  sort." 


220  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

"  A  singular  story,"  replied  Hartley  to  his  com- 
panion, while  his  heart  dwelt  on  the  question,  How 
it  was  possible  that  the  simple  and  gentle  Menie 
Gray  should  be  in  the  train  of  such  a  character  as 
this  adventuress. 

Hartley's  other  English  friend,  Major  Mercer, 
now  enlightens  and  surprises  him  in  a  yet  more 
alarming  way  by  saying : 

" .  .  .  Your  old  acquaintance,  Mr.  Tresham  or  Mr. 
Middlemas,  or  whatever  else  he  chooses  to  be  called, 
has  been  complimented  by  a  report  that  he  stood 
very  high  in  the  good  graces  of  this  same  Boadicea. 
He  certainly  commanded  some  troops  which  she 
still  keeps  on  foot,  and  acted  at  their  head  in  the 
Nawaub's  service,  who  craftily  employed  him  in 
whatever  could  render  him  odious  to  his  country- 
men. The  British  prisoners  were  entrusted  to  his 
charge,  and  to  judge  by  what  I  felt  myself,  the  devil 
might  take  a  lesson  from  him  in  severity. 

"And  was  he  attached  to,  or  connected  with  this 
woman  ? ,; 

"  So  Mrs.  Rumour  told  us  in  our  dungeon.  Poor 
Jack  Ward  had  the  bastinado  for  celebrating  their 
merits  in  a  parody  on  the  playhouse  song, 

Sure  such  a  pair  were  never  seen, 
So  aptly  formed  to  meet  by  nature." 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  22 1 

Scott  adds  : 
Hartley  could  listen  no  longer. 

The  idea  of  this  helpless  and  innocent  Scottish 
girl  being  in  the  power  of  such  people  horrified, 
as  well  as  nearly  stupified,  Hartley,  when  he 
received  from  some  unknown  messenger  a  card 
bearing  the  words — 

"  Miss   Gray,   Mrs.    Montreville's,   at  the   house   of 
Ram  Sing  Cottah,  in  the  Black  Town/' 

and  naming  the  hour, 


"  eight  in  the  morning." 


Hartley,  while  longing  again  to  see  and  assist 
her,  consults  another  English  acquaintance,  Mr. 
Esdale,  about  the  powerful  and  unscrupulous 
woman  with  whom  Menie  Gray  seems  so 
strangely  associated.  Esdale  gives  some  addi- 
tional information.  He  apparently  thinks,  how- 
ever, that  Madame  Montreville  may  have  been 
rather  slandered,  adding,  to  Hartley's  astonish- 


222  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

ment,  that  there  was  said  to  be  some  connection 
or  alliance  between  this  lady  and  the  man  whom 
he  calls  "poor  Middlemas."  Hartley  recalls  the 
fact  of  the  latter's  desertion  from  the  British, 
his  countrymen,  to  the  service  of  Hyder  Ali, 
who  is  now  at  fierce  war  with  them.  Esdale 
cautiously  replies,  and  is  apparently  alarmed  or 
perplexed  about  Indian  politics  at  this  time,  and 
rather  inclined  to  pity  Middlemas,  whose  friend- 
ship or  intrigue  or  alliance  with  the  Begum,  alias 
Madame  Montreville,  he  rather  doubts.  He 
adds,  to  Hartley's  surprise  : 


"  It  is  possible  that  he  [Middlemas]  may  do  us 
better  service  in  Hyder's  capital  or  Tippoo's  camp 
than  he  could  have  done  if  serving  with  his  own 
regiment.  .  .  .  He  told  me  himself — and  I  believe 
him — that  he  accepted  the  office  [under  Hyder] 
chiefly  because,  while  he  made  a  great  bullying  at 
us  before  the  black  fellows,  he  could  privately  be 
of  assistance  to  us.  .  .  .     All  this  in   confidence." 


Hartley  well  knows  the  deceitful  nature  of 
Middlemas,  his  successful  rival  in  the  love  of 
Menie  Gray. 


The  Surgeon's   Daughter  223 

Distracted  by  the  contradictory  intelligence  he  had 
received,  Hartley  went  next  to  question  old  Captain 
Capstern,  the  captain  of  the  Indiaman,  whom  he 
had  observed  in  attendance  on  the  Begum  Montre- 
ville. 

.  .  .  On  inquiring  after  that  commander's  female 
passengers,  Capstern  recollected  that  Menie  Gray,  a 
young  Scotchwoman,  had  come  out  under  charge 
of  Mrs.  Duffer,  the  master's  wife.  "  A  good  decent 
girl,"  Capstern  said,  "and  kept  the  mates  and  guinea- 
pigs  at  a  respectable  distance.  She  came  out,"  he 
believed,  "  to  be  a  sort  of  female  companion  or  upper 
servant  in  Madame  Montreville's  family.  Snug  berth 
enough,"  he  concluded,  "  if  she  can  find  the  length  of 
the  old  girl's  foot." 


The    next    day    Hartley     calls    at     Madame 
Montreville's  residence,  and  is 


"  ushered  into  an  apartment  where  he  expected  to 
be  joined  by  Miss  Gray.  The  room  opened  on  one 
side  into  a  small  garden,  rilled  with  the  brilliant- 
coloured  flowers  of  Eastern  climates  ;  in  the  midst 
of  which  the  waters  of  a  fountain  rose  upwards  in 
a  sparkling  jet  and  fell  back  again  into  a  white 
marble  cistern.  ...  A  step  was  heard — the  door 
opened — a  female  appeared — but  it  was  the  portly 
form  of  Madame  Montreville." 


224  s*r  Walter  Scott  Studied 

This  lady,  evidently  disliking  or  suspecting 
Hartley,  sharply  accosts  him  in  words  which 
are  scarcely  polite.  This  woman  does  not 
seem  to  be  drawn  from  real  life,  but  her  whole 
conduct  is  described  by  Scott  with  thorough 
consistency : 

"  What  do  you  please  to  want,  sir  ?  "  said  the  lady, 
"  that  is,  if  you  have  found  your  tongue  this  morn- 
ing, which  you  had  lost  yesterday." 

"  I  proposed  myself  the  honour  of  waiting  upon 
the  young  person  whom  I  saw  in  your  Excellency's 
company  yesterday  morning,"  answered  Hartley,  with 
assumed  respect.  "  I  have  had  long  the  honour  of 
being  known  to  her  in  Europe,  and  I  desire  to 
offer  her  my  services  in  India." 

"Much  obliged,  much  obliged,  but  Miss  Gray  is 
gone  out  and  does  not  return  for  one  or  two  days. 
You  may  leave  your  commands  with  me." 

"  Pardon  me,  madam,"  replied  Hartley,  "  but  I  have 
some  reason  to  hope  you  may  be  mistaken  in  this 
matter — and  here  comes  the  lady  herself  ! " 

"  How  is  this,  my  dear  ? "  said  Madame  Montre- 
ville  with  unruffled  front  to  Menie  as  she  entered. 
"  Are  you  not  gone  out  for  two  or  three  days,  as  I 
tell  this  gentleman  ? — mats  c'est  egal — it  is  all  one 
thing.  You  will  say,  How  d'ye  do,  and  good-bye  to 
monsieur,  who  is  so  polite  as  to  come  to  ask  after 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  225 

our  healths,  and  as  he  sees  us  both  very  well,  he 
will  go  away  home  again." 

"  I  believe,  madam,"  said  Miss  Gray  with  an  ap- 
pearance of  effort,  "that  I  must  speak  with  this 
gentleman  for  a  few  minutes  in  private,  if  you  will 
permit  me." 

"That  is  to  say,  get  you  gone?  but  I  do 
not  allow  that — I  do  not  like  private  conversation 
between  young  man  and  pretty  young  woman  ; 
cela  riest  pas  honnete.  It  cannot  be  in  my 
house." 

"  It  may  be  out  of  it  then,  madam,"  answered 
Miss  Gray,  not  pettishly  nor  pertly,  but  with  the 
utmost  simplicity.  "  Mr.  Hartley,  will  you  step  into 
that  garden  ? — and  you,  madam,  may  observe  us 
from  the  window,  if  it  be  the  fashion  of  the  country 
to  watch  so  closely.  .  .  ." 

The  Queen  of  Sheba,  notwithstanding  her  natural 
assurance,  was  disconcerted  by  the  composure  of 
Miss  Gray's  manner,  and  left  the  room  apparently 
in  displeasure. 

An  affecting  interview  now  takes  place 
between  Menie  and  Hartley,  whom  she  touch- 
ingly  informs  of  her  father's,  Dr.  Gray's,  death. 
He  had  always  preferred  of  his  two  pupils 
Hartley  to  Middlemas,  but  unfortunately  for 
herself    Menie    preferred    the    latter.       Hartley 

15 


226  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

eagerly  asks  why  she  is  here  with  this  woman, 
and  Menie  owns  she  is  not  what  she  expected, 
adding  that  she  will  soon  be  married  to 
Middlemas.  Hartley  vainly  warns  her  against 
this  man,  whom  he  has  long  distrusted,  but 
Menie  is  completely  deceived  by  his  artful 
treachery,  and  all  Hartley  can  do  is  to  give 
her  his  own  address  and  depart  anticipating 
the  worst.  After  he  is  gone  there  ensues  a 
scene  of  terrible  excitement  between  Madame 
Montreville  and  Middlemas,  who  is  now  dis- 
guised as  her  black  Indian  slave  and  called 
Sadoc.  These  two  are  secretly  plotting  together 
to  deliver  up  Miss  Gray  to  the  Prince  Tippoo 
Sahib,  yet  each  distrusts  the  other,  at  least  to 
some  extent.  Middlemas,  despite  his  cunning 
and  deceit,  has  at  last  met  with  more  than  his 
match  in  this  fierce,  unscrupulous  woman.  As 
before  observed,  she  resembles  Cleopatra  in 
jealousy,  intrigue,  and  ferocity  combined,  rather 
than  either  of  the  heroines,  Zenobia  or  Boadicea, 
to  whom  she  is  compared  by  some  English 
acquaintances. 

Scott   describes   her   interview   with    the    dis- 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  227 

guised    Middlemas,     directly     Hartley    has     left 
her  house,1  and  adds: 


It  appeared  from  the  conversation  which  follows 
that  they  had  from  some  place  of  concealment  over- 
heard the  dialogue 

between  Menie  and  Hartley. 

"  It  is  good  luck,  Sadoc,"  said  the  lady,  "  that  there 
is  in  this  world  the  great  fool." 

"And  the  great  villain,"  answered  Sadoc  in  good 
English,  but  in  a  most  sullen  tone. 

"This  woman  now,"  continued  the  lady,  "is  what 
in  Frangistan  you  call  an  angel." 

"Ay,  and  I  have  seen  those  in  Hindostan  you  may 
well  call  devil." 

"  I  am  sure  that  this — how  you  call  him — Hartley 
is  a  meddling  devil.  For  what  has  he  to  do  ?  She 
will  not  have  any  of  him.  What  is  his  business  who 
has  her  ?  I  wish  we  were  well  up  the  Ghauts  again, 
my  dear  Sadoc." 

Scott  here  describes  the  guilty  wretch  Middle- 
mas making  an  extraordinary  revelation  of  his 

1  Chap.  xii. 


228  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

mind    and    feelings,    which    only    enrages     this 
dangerous  woman  all  the  more  : 

"...  Hark  you,  Adela,  I  begin  to  sicken  of  the  plan 
we  have  laid.  This  creature's  confiding  purity — call 
her  angel  or  woman  as  you  will — makes  my  practices 
appear  too  vile  even  in  my  own  eyes.  I  feel  myself 
unfit  to  be  your  companion  farther  in  the  daring  paths 
which  you  pursue.     Let  us  part  and  part  friends." 

"Amen,  coward.  But  the  woman  remains  with 
me,"  answered  the  Queen  of  Sheba.1 

"  With  thee  !  "  replied  the  seeming  black  ;  "  never. 
No,  Adela.  She  is  under  the  shadow  of  the  British 
flag,  and  she  shall  experience  its  protection." 

In  this  dreadful  scene  Scott  evidently  means 
to  describe  the  base  Middlemas,  if  not  repen- 
tant, as  at  least  shocked  and  horrified  at  the 
atrocious  woman  in  whose  power  he  now  finds 
himself.  At  the  mention  of  the  British  autho- 
rity protecting  Menie,  whom  she  now  perceives 
that  Middlemas  loves,  the  Begum  replies  with 
fury  : 

1  Scott  writes  in  a  footnote  :  "  In  order  to  maintain 
uninjured  the  tone  of  passion  throughout  this  dialogue, 
it  has  been  judged  expedient  to  discard  in  the  language 
of  the  Begum  the  patois  of  Madame  Montreville." 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  229 

"  Yes — and  what  protection  will  it  afford  yourself  ? 
What  if  I  should  clap  my  hands  and  command  a  score 
of  my  black  servants  to  bind  you  like  a  sheep,  and 
then  send  word  to  the  Governor  of  the  Presidency 
that  one  Richard  Middlemas,  who  has  been  guilty 
of  murder,  mutiny,  desertion,  and  serving  of  the 
enemy  against  his  countrymen,  is  here  at  Ram  Singh 
Cotta's   house,  in  the   disguise  of   a   black   servant  ? " 

Middlemas  covered  his  face  with  his  hands,  while 
Madame  Montreville  proceeded  to  load  him  with 
reproaches. 


Her  reproaches,  as  Scott  terms  them,  now 
reveal  the  positions  of  these  wicked  allies  more 
clearly,  perhaps,  than  a  lengthened  description 
could  do.  Middlemas,  despite  his  baseness, 
begins  to  feel  some  remorse  for  his  conduct 
to  Menie,  as  the  savage  temper  of  the  Begum 
as  well  as  her  past  history  have  become  more 
known  to  him. 

These  two  artful  Europeans  are  now  in  fact 
playing  a  dangerous  game  between  the  ruler 
Hyder  Ali  and  his  ambitious  son,  Prince  Tippoo. 
Their  intrigues  with  these  Indian  princes  begin 
to  make  them  distrust  each  other,  and  all 
the  more  when   Madame   Montreville  discovers 


230  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

some  lingering  affection  for  Miss  Gray  in  the 
heart  of  Middlemas.  Hitherto  this  Scottish 
villain  had  never  encountered  such  a  ferocious 
character  as  the  Begum  Montreville,  who  seems 
to  unite  in  herself  the  intelligence  and  courage 
of  a  European  with  the  cunning  and  ferocity 
of  an  Asiatic.  She  now,  in  this  excited  scene, 
indulges  in  a  torrent  of  furious  threats,  all  of 
which  Middlemas  has  every  reason  to  fear. 


"  Yes,"  she  said,  "  slave  and  son  of  a  slave  !  Since 
you  wear  the  dress  of  my  household,  you  shall  obey 
me  as  fully  as  the  rest  of  them  ;  otherwise — whips, 
fetters — the  scaffold,  renegade — the  gallows,  murderer  ! 
Dost  thou  dare  to  reflect  on  the  abyss  of  misery  from 
which  I  raised  thee,  to  share  my  wealth  and  my 
affections  ?  Dost  thou  not  remember  that  the  picture 
of  this  pale,  cold,  unimpassioned  girl  was  then  so 
indifferent  to  thee,  that  thou  didst  sacrifice  it  as  a 
tribute  due  to  the  benevolence  of  her  who,  wretch  as 
thou  art,  condescended  to  love  thee  ?  " 

"  Yes,  fell  woman,"  answered  Middlemas,  "  but  was 
it  I  who  encouraged  the  young  tyrant's  [Tippoo] 
outrageous  passion  for  a  portrait,  or  who  formed  the 
abominable  plan  of  placing  the  original  within  his 
power  ?  " 

"  No — for  to  do  so  required   brain   and   wit.     But 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  231 

it  was  thine,  flimsy  villain,  to  execute  the  device 
which  a  bolder  genius  planned ;  it  was  thine  to 
entice  the  woman  to  this  foreign  shore,  under  pre- 
tence of  a  love  which  on  thy  part,  cold-blooded 
miscreant,  never  had  existed." 

"  Peace,  screech-owl ! "  answered  Middlemas,  "  nor 
drive  me  to  such  madness  as  may  lead  me  to  forget 
thou  art  a  woman." 

"A  woman,  dastard  !  Is  this  thy  pretext  for  spar- 
ing me  ? — what  then  art  thou,  who  tremblest  at  a 
woman's  looks,  a  woman's  words  ?  I  am  a  woman, 
renegade,  but  one  who  wears  a  dagger,  and  despises 
alike  thy  strength  and  thy  courage.  I  am  a  woman 
who  has  looked  on  more  dying  men  than  thou  hast 
killed  deer  and  antelopes.  .  .  .  Thou  wilt  be  a  double 
traitor,  forsooth — betray  thy  betrothed  to  the  Prince 
in  order  to  obtain  the  means  of  betraying  the  Prince 
to  the  English,  and  thus  gain  thy  pardon  from  thy 
countrymen.  But  me  thou  shalt  not  betray.  I  will 
not  be  made  the  tool  of  thy  ambition.  I  will  not 
give  thee  the  aid  of  my  treasury  and  my  soldiers,  to  be 
sacrificed  at  last  to  this  northern  icicle.  No,  I  will 
watch  thee,  as  the  fiend  watches  the  wizard.  Show 
me  but  a  symptom  of  betraying  me  while  we  are  here, 
and  I  denounce  thee  to  the  English.  .  .  .  Go  where 
thou  wilt,  slave,  thou  shalt  find  me  thy  mistress." 

"And  a  fair  though  an  unkind  one,"  said  the  coun- 
terfeit Sadoc,  suddenly  changing  his  tone  to  an  affecta- 
tion of  tenderness.  "  It  is  true  I  pity  this  unhappy 
woman  ;  true  I   would  save  her  if  I  could — but  most 


232  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

unjust  to  suppose  I  would  in  any  circumstances 
prefer  her  to  my  Nourjehan,  my  light  of  the  world, 
my  Mootee  Mahul,  my  pearl  of  the  palace " 

"All  false  coin  and  empty  compliment,"  said  the 
Begum.  "  Let  me  hear  in  two  brief  words  that  you 
leave  this  woman  to  my  disposal." 

"  But  not  to  be  interred  alive  under  your  seat,  like 
the  Circassian  of  whom  you  were  jealous,"  said 
Middlemas,  shuddering. 


This  terrible  murder  Scott  does  not  again 
refer  to,  but  the  fierce  woman  sternly  replies,  as 
if  knowing  she  has  now  both  Middlemas  and 
Menie  Gray  in  her  power  : 

"  No,  fool ;  her  lot  shall  not  be  worse  than  that  of 
being  the  favourite  of  a  prince.  Hast  thou,  fugitive 
and  criminal  as  thou  art,  a  better  fate  to  offer  her  ?  " 

"  But,"  replied  Middlemas,  blushing  even  through 
his  base  disguise  at  the  consciousness  of  his  abject 
conduct,  "  I  will  have  no  force  on  her  inclinations." 

"  Such  truce  she  shall  have  as  the  laws  of  the 
Zenana  allow,"  replied  the  female  tyrant.  "A  week 
is  long  enough  for  her  to  determine  whether  she 
will  be  the  willing  mistress  of  a  princely  and  generous 
lover." 

"Ay,"  said  Richard,  "and  before  that  week  ex- 
pires  "     He  stopped  short. 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  233 

"  What  will  happen  before  that  week  expires  ? " 
said  the  Begum  Montreville. 

u  No  matter — nothing  of  consequence.  I  leave 
the   woman's   fate   with   you." 

"'Tis  well — we  march  to-night  on  our  return, 
so  soon  as  the  moon  rises.  Give  orders  to  our 
retinue." 

"  To  hear  is  to  obey,"  replied  the  seeming  slave, 
and  left  the  apartment. 

The  eyes  of  the  Begum  remained  fixed  on  the 
door  through  which  he  had  passed.  "  Villain — 
double-dyed  villain,"  she  said,  "  I  see  thy  drift ; 
thou  wouldst  betray  Tippoo  in  policy  alike  and  in 
love.  But  me  thou  canst  not  betray.  Ho  there, 
who  waits  ?  Let  a  trusty  messenger  be  ready  to  set 
off  instantly  with  letters,  which  I  will  presently 
make  ready.  His  departure  must  be  a  secret  to 
every  one.  And  now  shall  this  pale  phantom  soon 
know  her  destiny,  and  learn  what  it  is  to  have 
rivalled  Adela  Montreville." 

Scott  continues,  carefully  explaining  the 
different  plots,  designs,  and  objects  of  this 
wicked   pair : 

While  the  Amazonian  princess  meditated  plans 
of  vengeance  against  her  innocent  rival  and  the 
guilty  lover,  the  latter  plotted  as  deeply  for  his 
own  purposes. 


234  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

Scott,  apparently  shocked  at  the  baseness  of 
Middlemas  which  he  so  carefully  describes, 
writes,  as  if  trying  to  attempt  some  degree 
of  extenuation  for  his  conduct,  though  in  a 
rather   vague   manner : 


.  .  .  He  had  waited  until  such  brief  twilight  as 
India  enjoys  rendered  his  disguise  complete,  then 
set  out  in  haste  for  the  part  of  Madras  inhabited 
by  Europeans,  or,  as  it  is  termed,  Fort  Saint 
George. 

u  I  will  save  her  yet,"  he  said  ;  "  ere  Tippoo  can 
seize  his  prize,  we  will  raise  around  his  ears  a 
storm  which  would  drive  the  God  of  War  from  the 
arms  of  the  Goddess  of  Beauty.  The  trap  shall 
close  its  fangs  upon  this  Indian  tiger,  ere  he  has 
time  to  devour  the  bait  which  enticed  him  into 
the    snare." 

While  Middlemas  cherished  these  hopes  he  ap- 
proached the  Residency.  The  sentinel  on  duty 
stopped  him  as  of  course,  but  he  was  in 
possession  of  the  countersign,  and  entered  without 
opposition.  He  rounded  the  building  in  which  the 
President  of  the  Council  resided,  an  able  and 
active  but  unconscientious  man,  who  neither  in  his 
own  affairs  nor  in  those  of  the  Company  was 
supposed  to  embarrass  himself  much  about  the 
means  which    he    used  to  attain   his   object.     A   tap 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  235 

at  a  small  postern  gate  was  answered  by  a  black 
slave,  who  admitted  Middlemas  to  that  necessary 
appurtenance  of  every  government,  a  back  stair, 
which  in  its  turn  conducted  him  into  the  office  of 
the  Brahmin  Paupiah,  the  Dubash,  or  steward,  of  the 
great  man,  and  by  whose  means  he  communicated 
with  the  native  courts,  and  carried  on  many 
mysterious  intrigues  which  he  did  not  com- 
municate to  his  brethren  at  the  council  board. 
It  is  perhaps  but  justice  to  the  guilty  and  unhappy 
Middlemas  to  suppose  that,  if  the  agency  of  a 
British  officer  had  been  employed,  he  might  have 
been  induced  to  throw  himself  on  his  mercy,  might 
have  explained  the  whole  of  his  nefarious  bargain 
with  Tippoo,  and,  renouncing  his  guilty  projects  of 
ambition,  might  have  turned  his  whole  thoughts 
upon  saving  Menie  Gray,  ere  she  was  transported 
beyond  the  reach  of  British  protection. 


Scott,  unused  to  describe  Oriental  characters 
and  intrigues,  which  he  never  introduces 
except  briefly  in  "  The  Talisman,"  here 
presents  a  crafty  Hindoo,  describing  him 
with  a  care  and  interest  rather  surprising  in 
a  writer  who  was  never  in  India,  or  even 
in  Asia.  He  had  doubtless,  however,  heard 
such    people    described  on   good   authority,   and 


236  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

owing  to  his  own  profound,  extraordinary- 
knowledge  of  human  nature,  fully  compre- 
hended the  description.  Middlemas,  though 
cunning,  deceitful,  and  unscrupulous,  was  now 
to  have  a  private  interview  with  a  Hindoo,  a 
foe  to  the  British,  as  artful  and  intriguing  as 
himself.  Scott,  in  his  observant,  picturesque 
style,  proceeds  to  describe  this  man  when 
presenting  himself  to  Middlemas  in  the  Resi- 
dency : 

But  the  thin,  dusky  form  which  stood  before 
him,  wrapped  in  robes  of  muslin  embroidered  with 
gold,  was  that  of  Paupiah,  known  as  a  master- 
counsellor  of  dark  projects,  an  Oriental  Machiavel, 
whose  premature  wrinkles  were  the  result  of  many 
an  intrigue,  in  which  the  existence  of  the  poor,  the 
happiness  of  the  rich,  the  honour  of  men,  and  the 
chastity  of  women  had  been  sacrificed  without 
scruple  to  attain  some  private  or  political  advan- 
tage. He  did  not  even  inquire  by  what  means 
the  renegade  Briton  proposed  to  acquire  that 
influence  with  Tippoo  which  might  enable  him  to 
betray  him — he  only  desired  to  be  assured  that  the 
fact  was  real. 

Scott     makes  this   fellow,   though    a    Hindoo, 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  237 

quite  devoted  to  the  Mohammedan  princes 
Hyder  Ali  and  Tippoo  Sahib.  Paupiah's  sup- 
posed resemblance  to  the  celebrated  Italian 
statesman  and  writer  Machiavelli,  whom 
Shakespeare  terms  "  the  murderous  Machiavel,"1 
and  Macaulay  rather  vindicates,2  strangely 
occurs  to  Scott's  mind.  Two  able  and  artful 
men,  born  in  such  different  countries,  and  placed 
in  such  different  circumstances,  could  only  much 
resemble  each  other  in  unscrupulous  deceit  and 
talent  for  intrigue.  Paupiah  seems  crafty  yet 
rather  boastful,  distrusting  Middlemas  and 
equally  distrusted  by  him.  Their  singular 
interview,  entirely  the  novelist's  invention, 
certainly  shows  the  base,  selfish  renegade 
Middlemas  as  almost  below  the  Hindoo  in 
both  cunning  and  influence  at  present. 
Paupiah,  evidently  knowing  Middlemas  well, 
rather   haughtily    begins  : 

"You    speak    at    the   risk    of    your   head,    if    you 
deceive    Paupiah,    or   make    Paupiah    the    means    of 


1  "Henry  VI.,"  Part   III. 

2  "  Essay  on  Machiavel." 


238  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

deceiving  his  master.  I  know,  so  does  all  Madras, 
that  the  Nawaub  has  placed  his  young  son  Tippoo 
as  Vice-Regent  of  his  newly-conquered  territory  of 
Bangalore,  which  Hyder  hath  lately  added  to  his 
dominions.  But  that  Tippoo  should  bestow  the 
government  of  that  important  place  on  an  apostate 
Feringi  seems  more  doubtful." 


Scott  continues  to  describe  the  plotting  of 
these  two  conspirators,  the  European  and 
the  Indian  each  distrusting  the  other,  and 
alike  afraid  of  the  two  powerful  and  fierce 
Indian  princes,  father  and  son,  whose  hos- 
tility to  the  advancing  power  of  the  British  is 
steadily  increasing. 

"Tippoo  is  young,"  answered  Middlemas,  "and  to 
youth  the  temptation  of  the  passions  is  what  a  lily 
on  the  surface  of  the  lake  is  to  childhood — they  will 
risk  life  to  reach  it,  though  when  obtained  it  is  of 
little  value.  Tippoo  has  the  cunning  of  his  father 
and  his  military  talents,  but  he  lacks  his  cautious 
wisdom." 

"  Thou  speakest  truth — but  when  thou  art  Governor 
of  Bangalore  hast  thou  forces  to  hold  the  place  till 
thou  art  relieved  by  the  Mahrattas  or  by  the 
British  ?  " 


The   Surgeon's   Daughter  239 

"  Doubt  it  not — the  soldiers  of  the  Begum  Mootee 
Mahul,  whom  the  Europeans  call  Montreville,  are 
less  hers  than  mine.  I  am  myself  her  Bukshee 
(General),  and  her  Sirdars  are  at  my  devotion. 
With  these  I  could  keep  Bangalore  for  two  months, 
and  the  British  army  may  be  before  it  in  a  week. 
What  do  you  risk  by  advancing  General  Smith's 
army  nearer  to  the  frontier  ?  " 

"  We  risk  a  settled  peace  with  Hyder,"  answered 
Paupiah  ;  " .  .  .  yet  I  say  not  but  thy  plan  may  be 
most  advantageous.  Thou  sayest  Tippoo's  treasures 
are  in  the  fort  ?  " 

"  His  treasures  and  his  Zenana  ;  I  may  even  be 
able  to  secure  his  person." 

"  That  were  a  goodly  pledge,"  answered  the  Hindoo 
minister. 

"  And  you  consent  that  the  treasures  shall  be 
divided  to  the  last  rupee,  as  in  the  scroll  ?  " 

"  The  share  of  Paupiah's  master  is  too  small,"  said 
the  Brahmin,  "  and  the  name  of  Paupiah  is  unnoticed." 

"  The  share  of  the  Begum  may  be  divided  between 
Paupiah  and  his  master,"  answered  Middlemas. 

"  But  the  Begum  will  expect  her  proportion," 
replied    Paupiah. 

"  Let  me  alone  to  deal  with  her,"  said 
Middlemas.  u  Before  the  blow  is  struck,  she  shall 
not  know  of  our  private  treaty,  and  afterwards 
her  disappointment  will  be  of  slight  consequence. 
And  now  remember  my  stipulations — my  rank  to  be 
restored,  my  full  pardon  to  be  granted." 


240  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

Scott  describes  Paupiah  as  suspecting  the 
supposed  renegade  Christian,  Middlemas,  rather 
than  fearing  him,  for  this  Indian  must  well 
know  how  friendless  this  European  is  in  reality 
among  both  Hindoos  and  Mohammedans  at  this 
time  in  India.  He  therefore  makes  a  rather 
threatening  assent  to  the  requests  of  Middlemas 
for  power  and  promotion. 

"  Ay,"  replied  Paupiah  cautiously,  "  should  you 
succeed.  But  were  you  to  betray  what  has  here 
passed,  I  will  find  the  dagger  of  a  Lootie  which 
shall  reach  thee,  wert  thou  sheltered  under  the 
folds  of  the  Nawaub's  garment.  In  the  meantime 
take  this  missive,  and  when  you  are  in  possession 
of  Bangalore  despatch  it  to  General  Smith,  whose 
division  shall  have  orders  to  approach  as  near  the 
frontier  of  Mysore  as  may  be  without  causing 
suspicion." 

Thus  parted  this  worthy  pair  ;  Paupiah  to  report 
to  his  principal  (Tippoo)  the  progress  of  their  dark 
machinations,  Middlemas  to  join  the  Begum  on  her 
return  to  the  Mysore.  The  gold  and  diamonds  of 
Tippoo,  the  importance  which  he  was  about  to 
acquire,  the  ridding  himself  at  once  of  the  capricious 
authority  of  the  irritable  Tippoo  and  the  trouble- 
some claims  of  the  Begum,  were  such  agreeable 
subjects  of  contemplation,   that   he   scarcely  thought 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  241 

of  the  fate  of  his  European  victim,  unless  to  salve 
his  conscience  with  the  hope  that  the  sole  injury 
she  could  sustain  might  be  the  alarm  of  a  few  days, 
during  the  course  of  which  he  would  acquire  the 
means  of  delivering  her  from  the  tyrant  in  whose 
Zenana  she  was  to  remain  a  temporary  prisoner. 
He  resolved  at  the  same  time  to  abstain  from  see- 
ing her  till  the  moment  he  could  afford  her  protec- 
tion, justly  considering  the  danger  which  his  whole 
plan  might  incur  if  he  again  awakened  the  jealousy 
of  the  Begum.  This  he  trusted  was  now  asleep,  and 
in  the  course  of  their  return  to  Tippoo's  camp,  near 
Bangalore,  it  was  his  study  to  soothe  this  ambitious 
and  crafty  female  by  blandishments,  intermingled 
with  the  more  splendid  prospects  of  wealth  and 
power  to  be  opened  to  them  both,  as  he  pretended, 
by  the  success  of  his  present  enterprise. 


Scott  himself  has  invented  these  plots,  as 
also  the  whole  position  of  these  two  Euro- 
peans, Adela  Montreville  and  Richard  Middle- 
mas.  Placed  as  this  dangerous,  unscrupulous 
pair  now  are,  amid  Mohammedans  and  Hindoos, 
treacherous  to  each  other  and  to  all  about  them, 
they  must  have  soon  forfeited  British  protection, 
and  have  become  suspected  and  likely  been  de- 
stroyed by  either  section  of  the  native  inhabitants. 

16 


242  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

The  novelist,  therefore,  well  knowing  their 
improbable,  if  not  impossible,  position,  writes 
in   an    instructive  footnote  : l 

"  It  is  scarce  necessary  to  say  that  such  things 
could  only  be  acted  in  the  earlier  period  of  our 
Indian  settlements,  when  the  check  of  the  Directors 
was  imperfect  and  that  of  the  Crown  did  not  exist." 

The  danger  of  the  unfortunate  Menie  Gray 
is  now  revealed  to  Hartley,  in  a  brief  note 
which  he  receives  from  herself  through  an 
Indian  servant,  containing  these  few,  but  most 
expressive  words  : 

"  All  is  true  your  fears  foretold.  He  has  delivered 
me  up  to  a  cruel  woman  who  threatens  to  sell  me 
to  the  tyrant  Tippoo.  Save  me  if  you  can — if  you 
have  not  pity,  or  cannot  give  me  aid,  there  is  none 
left  upon  earth.— M.  G." 

Scott  continues  : 

The  haste  with  which  Dr.  Hartley  sped  to  the 
Fort    and  demanded   an   audience   of   the   Governor 

1  Chap.  xii. 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  243 

was  defeated  by  the  delays  interposed  by  Paupiah. 
It  did  not  suit  the  plans  of  this  artful  Hindoo  that 
any  interruption  should  be  opposed  to  the  depar- 
ture of  the  Begum  and  her  favourite,  considering 
how  much  the  plans  of  the  last  corresponded  with 
his  own.  He  affected  incredulity  on  the  charge 
when  Hartley  complained  of  an  Englishwoman 
being  detained  in  the  train  of  the  Begum  against 
her  consent. 


Amid  all  these  plots  and  intrigues  Scott 
makes  his  hero  Hartley  preserve  his  firm  and 
determined  course  of  action.  He  now  resolves 
at  all  risks  to  attempt  Menie's  rescue,  and 
learns  from  an  English  gentleman,  a  Mr. 
Esdale,  that  Tippoo's  father,  Hyder  Ali,  though 
often  called  a  tyrant,  rather  prides  himself  upon 
rendering  strict  justice  when  applied  to  by 
humble  suppliants.  Hartley,  resolving  to  appeal 
to  this  prince,  sets  out  on  a  somewhat  perilous 
journey  : 

Having  furnished  himself  with  money  and  with  the 
attendance  of  three  trusty  native  servants,  mounted 
like  himself,  on  Arab  horses  .  .  .  Hartley  lost  not 
a  moment  in  taking  the  road  to  Mysore,  endeavour- 


244  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

ing  in  the  meantime,  by  recollecting  every  story  he 
had  ever  heard  of  Hyder's  justice  and  forbearance, 
to  assure  himself  that  he  should  find  the  Nawaub 
disposed  to  protect  a  helpless  female,  even  against 
the  future  heir  of  his  empire. 

Scott  describes  his  journey  in  his  usual  care- 
ful, picturesque  style.  Though  never  in  India, 
he  had  evidently  heard  and  studied  the  descrip- 
tive accounts  of  those  who  knew  that  attractive 
and  beautiful  country.     He  writes  : 

The  sun  had  set  ere  the  party  reached  the  foot 
of  one  of  those  perilous  passes  up  which  lay  the 
road  to  Seringapatam.  A  narrow  path  which  in 
summer  resembled  an  empty  watercourse,  winding 
upwards  among  immense  rocks  and  precipices,  was 
at  one  time  completely  overshadowed  by  dark  groves 
of  teak-trees  and  at  another  found  its  way  beside 
impenetrable  jungles,  the  habitation  of  jackals  and 
tigers.  .  .  . 

The  travellers  received  the  first  accounts  of  the 
progress  of  the  Begum  and  her  party  by  a  Peon  (or 
foot-soldier),  who  had  been  in  their  company,  but 
was  now  on  his  return  to  the  coast.  .  .  .  He  under- 
stood it  was  the  purpose  of  the  Begum  to  proceed 
by  slow  marches  to  Bangalore.  .  .  .  From  the 
result  of  his  anxious   inquiries,    Hartley  had  reason 


The  Surgeon's   Daughter  245 

to  hope  that  though  Seringapatam  was  seventy-five 
miles  more  to  the  eastward  than  Bangalore,  yet  by 
using  diligence  he  might  have  time  to  throw  him- 
self at  the  foot  of  Hyder  and  beseech  his  interposi- 
tion before  the  meeting  betwixt  Tippoo  and  the 
Begum  should  decide  the  fate  of  Menie  Gray.  On 
the  other  hand,  he  trembled  as  the  Peon  told  him 
that  the  Begum's  Bukshce,  or  General,  who  had 
travelled  to  Madras  in  disguise  with  her,  had  now 
assumed  the  dress  and  character  belonging  to  his 
rank,  and  it  was  expected  he  was  to  be  honoured 
by  the  Mohammedan  prince  with  some  high  office 
of  dignity.  .  .  .  With  still  deeper  anxiety  he  learned 
that  a  palanquin,  watched  with  sedulous  care  by 
the  slaves  of  Oriental  jealousy,  contained,  it  was 
whispered,  a  Feringi  (European)  woman,  beautiful 
as  a  Houri,  who  had  been  brought  from  England 
by  the  Begum  as  a  present  to  Tippoo.  The  deed 
of  villainy  was  therefore  in  full  train  to  be  accom- 
plished ;  it  remained  to  see  whether  by  diligence  on 
Hartley's  side  its  course  could  be  interrupted. 


Scott  here  reveals  some  knowledge  of,  as  well 
as  interest  in,  Indian  curiosities,  yet  only  briefly 
notices  them,  while  continuing  to  relate  this 
picturesque,  pathetic  novel.  He  therefore  de- 
scribes his  noble  young  hero  Hartley  now  amid 
new    troubles    and    difficulties,    yet    striving   to 


246  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

rescue  at  the  risk  of  his  life  the  betrayed  Miss 
Gray  from  the  power  of  the  Begum  and  Tippoo 
Sahib.  He  thus  sympathetically  describes 
Hartley  : 

When  this  eager  vindicator  of  betrayed  innocence 
arrived  in  the  capital  of  Hyder,  it  may  be  believed  that 
he  consumed  no  time  in  viewing  the  temple  of  the 
celebrated  Vishnoo,  or  in  surveying  the  splendid 
gardens  called  Loll-bang,  which  were  the  monuments 
of  Hyder's  magnificence  and  now  hold  his  mortal 
remains. 

Scott  then  states  how  Hartley,  after  much 
trouble,  danger,  and  difficulty,  meets  with  a 
friendly  Indian,  once  in  the  British  service, 
who  undertakes  to  give  his  message  to  the  Fakir 
Barak-el- Hadgi,  to  be  by  him  delivered  to  the 
Nawaub  Hyder  himself.  At  this  time  the  bold, 
ambitious  young  Prince  Tippoo  in  his  father's 
absence  was  apparently  absolute,  and  Hartley 
was  informed  that  to  oppose  Tippoo's  wishes 

was  the  ready  way  to  destruction.  ...  In  the  evening 
the  call  of  the  Muezzins  thundering  from  the  minarets 
had    invited    the   faithful   to   prayers,   when   a   black 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  247 

servant  about  fifteen  years  old  stood  before  Hartley 
and  pronounced  these  words  deliberately  and  twice 
over  :  "  Thus  says  Barak-el-Hadgi,  the  watcher  in  the 
Mosque  :  He  that  would  see  the  sun  rise,  let  him 
turn  towards  the  east." 

These  mysterious  words,  Scott  says,  had  the 
effect  of  rousing  the  persevering  Hartley  to 
renewed  exertion.  He  followed  the  young 
Indian  into  a  garden  or  grove.  This  young 
guide,  as  well  as  Barak-el-Hadgi,  Hyder  Ali 
and  Tippoo,  are  Mohammedans,  and  no  Hindoo 
is  introduced  in  this  story,  except  the  crafty 
Paupiah,  who  is  evidently  completely  under 
Mohammedan  rule  or  influence. 

The  next  and  last  chapter  (xiv.)  of  this 
singular  story  is  certainly  a  welcome  relief  to 
readers.  The  treacherous  villainy  of  Middlemas, 
and  of  the  European  Begum,  Madame  Montre- 
ville,  in  delivering  up  the  deceived  Menie  Gray  to 
Tippoo  Sahib  was  now  near  its  final  accomplish- 
ment. Although  Scott  intimates  a  vague  if 
not  hopeless  design  of  Middlemas  to  finally 
rescue  Menie  by  a  secret  plot  of  his  own,  he 
is    apparently    too    much    in    the   power  of  the 


248  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

jealous  Begum  and  the  licentious  Prince  Tippoo 
to  succeed,  and  Menie's  eventual  rescue  is  en- 
tirely due  to  the  courage  and  devotion  of  her 
rejected  Scottish  lover,  Adam  Hartley.  Scott 
had  evidently  studied  or  listened  carefully  to 
accounts  of  Indian  life  and  habits,  and  though 
personally  ignorant  of  both,  is  enabled  by  his 
naturally  wonderful  genius  to  describe  them  with 
much  the  same  attraction,  though  with  less  detail 
than  he  displays  in  his  novels  laid  in  England,1 
Scotland,2  and  France.3 

When  Hartley  is  following  his  Indian  guide 
through  Seringapatam,  Scott  proceeds  to  de- 
scribe his  entering  into 

a  grove  of  mango-trees,  through  which  the  infant 
moon  was  twinkling  faintly  amid  the  murmur  of 
waters,  the  sweet  song  of  the  nightingale,  and  the 
odours  of  the  rose,  yellow  jasmine,  orange  and  citron 
flowers  and  Persian  narcissus.  Huge  domes  and 
arches  which  were  seen  imperfectly  in  the  quivering 
light  seemed  to  intimate  the  neighbourhood  of  some 


*  "Nigel,"  "Ivanhoe." 

2  "Antiquary,"  "The  Heart  of  Midlothian." 
Quentin  Durward." 


1  « 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  249 

sacred  edifice,   where  the  Fakir   had  doubtless  taken 
up  his  residence. 


Scott  now  describes  Hartley  coming  into  the 
presence  of  Barak-el-Hadgi  and  another  white- 
bearded  Fakir.  Hartley  found  that  Barak,  his 
former  friend,  was  most  deferential  to  this  old 
Fakir,  whom  Hartley  now  addresses,  telling  him 
the  plot  to  betray  Miss  Gray  to  Prince  Tippoo, 
and  bested  for  the  intercession  of  the  old  Fakir 
with  Hyder  Ali  or  with  Tippoo.  The  Fakir 
after  a  while  exclaims  : 


"  The  unbeliever  has  spoken  like  a  poet.  But 
does  he  think  that  the  Nawaub  Khan  Hyder  Ali 
Behauder  will  contest  with  his  son  Tippoo  the 
Victorious  the  possession  of  an  infidel  slave  ?  " 

These  words  might  seem  discouraging  to 
Hartley,  but  he  receives  a  private  sign  from 
Barak  to  continue  his  pleading  with  this  mys- 
terious Fakir.  Hartley,  having  fortunately  some 
knowledge  of  the  Koran,  is  thus  able  to  make 
from  that  extraordinary  book  a  most  impressive 
and  indirectly  applicable  quotation  : 


250  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

"  The  Nawaub  is  in  the  place  of  the  Prophet,  a 
judge  over  the  low  as  well  as  high.  It  is  written  that 
when  the  Prophet  decided  a  controversy  between  the 
two  sparrows  concerning  a  grain  of  rice,  his  wife 
Fatima  said  to  him,  '  Doth  the  missionary  of  Allah 
well  to  bestow  his  time  in  distributing  justice  on  a 
matter  so  slight  and  between  such  despicable  liti- 
gants ? '  *  Know,  woman,'  answered  the  Prophet,  '  that 
the  sparrows  and  the  grain  of  rice  are  the  creation 
of  Allah.  They  are  not  worth  more  than  thou  hast 
spoken,  but  justice  is  a  treasure  of  inestimable  price, 
and  it  must  be  imparted  by  him  who  holdeth  power 
to  all  who  require  it  at  his  hand.  The  Prince  doth 
the  will  of  Allah,  who  gives  it  alike  in  small  matters 
as  in  great,  and  to  the  poor  as  well  as  the  powerful. 
To  a  hungry  bird  a  grain  of  rice  is  as  a  chaplet  of 
pearls  to  a  sovereign.'     I  have  spoken." 

This  appeal  to  the  spirit  and  teaching  of  the 
Koran  at  once  produces  a  strong,  though  not  as 
yet  a  decisive  effect  on  the  grave  old  Moham- 
medan, who,  apparently  surprised  at  such 
knowledge  of  his  own  religion  in  a  European 
Christian,  exclaims  : 

"  Bismillah  ! — Praise  be  to  God  !  he  hath  spoken 
like  a  Moullah," 

while  Barak,  a  steady  friend  to  Hartley  through- 


The  Surgeon's   Daughter  251 

out  this  scene,  observes,  in  deference  to  the  words 
of  the  Mohammedan  Prophet : 

u  The  lips  have  spoken  it  which  cannot  lie." 

Here  Scott  describes  the  elder  Fakir  making 
a  remarkable  trial  of  Hartley's  strict  and  careful 
veracity  by  asking  him  this  trying  question  : 

"  Hast  thou  heard,  Feringi,  of  aught  of  treason 
meditated  by  this  Kaffir  [infidel,  Middlemas]  against 
the  Nawaub  Behauder  ?  " 

Hartley  makes  a  straightforward  reply  which 
proves  his  own  conscientious  truth  : 

"  Out  of  a  traitor  cometh  treason,  but  to  speak 
after  my  knowledge  I  am  not  conscious  of  such  a 
design." 

The  shrewd  old  Fakir  thoughtfully  rejoins,  evi- 
dently satisfied  with  the  experiment  he  has  made 
to  prove  Hartley's  honesty  : 

"  There  is  truth  in  the  words  of  him  who  accuseth 
not   his  enemy  save  on  his  knowledge.     The  things 


252  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

thou  hast  spoken  shall    be   laid  before  the  Nawaub, 
and  as  Allah  and  he  will,  so  shall  the  issue  be." 


Hartley  then  retires  from  the  presence  of  the 
Fakir,  and  the  next  most  interesting  and  im- 
portant scene  is  his  arrival  at  Seringapatam, 
the  capital  of  the  Mysore  district,  now  ruled  by 
Hyder  AH  and  by  his  son  Tippoo  Sahib.  It  is 
evidently  a  Mohammedan  city,  such  Hindoos  as 
inhabit  it  being  quite  subject  to  Moslem  rule. 
Scott  now  describes  a  beautiful  scene  : 

It  occupied  a  tope  or  knoll  covered  with  trees,  and 
looked  full  on  the  gardens  which  Tippoo  had  created 
in  one  quarter  of  the  city.  The  rich  pavilions  of  the 
principal  persons  flamed  with  silk  and  gold ;  and 
spears  with  gilded  points  or  poles  supporting  gold 
knobs  displayed  numerous  little  banners  inscribed 
with  the  name  of  the  Prophet.  This  was  the  camp 
of  the  Begum  Mootee  Mohul,  who  with  a  small  body 
of  her  troops,  about  two  hundred  men,  was  waiting 
the  return  of  Tippoo  under  the  walls  of  Bangalore. 
Their  private  motives  for  desiring  a  meeting  the 
reader  is  acquainted  with  ;  to  the  public  the  visit  of  the 
Begum  had  only  the  appearance  of  an  act  of  deference 
frequently  paid  by  inferior  and  subordinate  princes  to 
patrons  whom  they  depend  upon. 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  253 

In  this  novel  the  dangerous  alliance  of  Tippoo 
with  Madame  Montreville  does  not  lead  to 
the  actual  rebellion  of  the  former  against  his 
father,  Hyder  Ali.  The  whole  idea  of  this 
European  lady  commanding  Mohammedan 
soldiers,  led  by  a  supposed  renegade  like 
Middlemas,  seems  Scott's  invention  throughout. 
In  the  ensuing  dramatic  scene  Hartley's 
conduct  and  position  are  alike  heroic  and  dan- 
gerous. 

Scott  for  the  only  time  in  all  his  novels  now 
describes  an  eventful  Indian  scene.  Although 
his  picturesque  style  is  nearly  as  pleasant  and 
powerful  as  in  his  British  and  French  descrip- 
tions, it  must  have  been  founded  altogether  on 
information  derived  from  Indian  history  and 
Indian  travellers,  unaided  by  any  personal 
experience  : 

The  meeting  between  persons  of  importance,  more 
especially  of  royal  rank,  is  a  matter  of  very  great  con- 
sequence in  India,  and  generally  much  address  is 
employed  to  induce  the  person  receiving  the  visit  to 
come  as  far  as  possible  to  meet  the  visitor.  .  .  .  But 
Tippoo's    impatience   to   possess   the    fair   European 


254  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

induced  him  to  grant  on  this  occasion  a  much  greater 
degree  of  courtesy  than  the  Begum  had  dared  to 
expect.  He  appointed  his  garden  adjacent  to  the  city 
walls  as  the  place  of  their  meeting  ;  the  hour  noon  on 
the  day  succeeding  his  arrival.  .  .  .  Long  before  the 
appointed  hour  the  rendezvous  of  Fakirs,  beggars  and 
idlers  before  the  gate  of  the  palace  intimated  the 
excited  expectations  of  those  who  usually  attend 
processions.  .  .  . 

At  noon  precisely  a  discharge  of  cannon  placed  in 
the  outer  courts,  as  also  of  matchlocks  and  of  small 
swivels,  carried  by  camels  (the  poor  animals  shaking 
their  long  ears  at  every  discharge),  announced  that 
Tippoo  had  mounted  his  elephant.  The  solemn  and 
deep  sound  of  the  naggra,  or  state  drum,  borne  upon 
an  elephant,  was  then  heard  like  the  distant  discharge 
of  artillery.  .  .  . 

Immediately  before  the  Prince  came,  on  a  small 
elephant,  a  hard-faced,  severe-looking  man,  by  office 
the  distributer  of  alms,  which  he  flung  in  showers  of 
small  copper  money  among  the  Fakirs  and  beggars, 
whose  scrambles  to  collect  them  seemed  to  augment 
their  amount,  while  the  grim-looking  agent  of  Moham- 
medan charity,  together  with  his  elephant,  which 
marched  with  half  angry  eyes  and  its  trunk  curled 
upwards,  seemed  both  alike  ready  to  chastise  those 
whom  poverty  should  render  too  importunate. 

Tippoo  himself  next  appeared  richly  apparelled 
and  seated  on  an  elephant  which,  carrying  its  head 
above  all  the  others  in  the  procession,  seemed  proudly 


The  Surgeon's   Daughter  255 

conscious  of  superior  dignity.  .  .  .  Behind  Tippoo 
came  the  various  courtiers  and  officers  of  the  house- 
hold, mounted  chiefly  on  elephants,  all  arrayed  in 
their  most  splendid  attire  and  exhibiting  the  greatest 
pomp.  .  .  . 

This  splendid  procession,  having  entered  the  royal 
gardens,  approached  through  a  long  avenue  of  lofty 
trees  a  chabootra,  or  platform  of  white  marble,  cano- 
pied by  arches  of  the  same  material.  ...  In  the 
centre  of  the  platform  was  the  musnud,  or  state 
cushion,  of  the  Prince,  six  feet  square,  composed  of 
crimson  velvet,  richly  embroidered.  By  special  grace 
a  small  low  cushion  was  placed  on  the  right  of  the 
Prince  for  the  occupation  of  the  Begum.  In  front  of 
this  platform  was  a  square  tank,  four  feet  deep  and 
rilled  to  the  brim  with  water  as  clear  as  crystal,  having 
a  large  jet  or  fountain  in  the  middle,  wThich  threw  up 
a  column  of  it  to  the  height  of  twenty  feet. 

The  Prince  Tippoo  had  scarcely  dismounted 
from  his  elephant  and  occupied  the  musnud,  or 
throne  of  cushions,  when  the  stately  form  of  the 
Begum  was  seen  advancing  to  the  place  of 
rendezvous.  The  elephant  being  left  at  the  gate  of 
the  gardens  opening  into  the  country,  opposite  to 
that  by  which  the  procession  of  Tippoo  had  entered, 
she  was  carried  in  an  open  litter,  richly  orna- 
mented with  silver,  and  borne  on  the  shoulders  of 
six  black  slaves.  Her  person  was  as  richly  attired 
as  silks  and  gems  could  accomplish.  Richard 
Middlemas,   as   the    Begum's    General    or    Bukshee, 


256  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

walked  nearest  to  her  litter  in  a  dress  as  magnificent 
in  itself  as  it  was  remote  from  all  European  costume, 
being  that  of  a  Banka,  or  Indian  courtier. 

The  baseness  of  this  wretch  seems  so  hateful 
to  Scott's  mind,  that  he  attributes  to  him  a 
vague,  risky  scheme  of  finally  rescuing  Menie 
Gray,  but  up  to  this  moment  he,  allied  with 
the  vindictive  Begum,  is  on  the  very  point  of 
delivering  up  his  deceived  lover  to  the  Indian 
Prince.  The  character  and  conduct  of  Middle- 
mas,  however,  seem  to  some  extent  founded 
on  fact,1  while  Madame  Montreville  seems  a 
terrible  compound  of  European  cunning  and 
intelligence  with  Indian  ferocity,  and  is  appar- 
ently altogether  the  novelist's  invention.  Her 
extraordinary  position  in  India,  and  her  strange 
alliance  with  Tippoo,  seem  also  quite  the 
novelist's   fancy. 

Scott,  in  describing  the  feelings  of  Middlemas 
at  this  terrible  moment  of  his  life,  writes  : 

.  .  .  What  thoughts  he  had  under  this  gay  attire 
and   the  bold    bearing  which    corresponded   to   it,   it 


*  See  Introduction  to  "  The  Surgeon's  Daughter." 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  257 

would  be  fearful  to  unfold.  His  least  detestable 
hopes  were  perhaps  those  which  tended  to  save 
Menie  Gray  by  betraying  the  Prince  who  was  about 
to  confide  in  him,  and  the  Begum,  at  whose  inter- 
cession Tippoo's  confidence  was  to  be  reposed. 

The  litter  stopped  as  it  approached  the  tank,  on 
the  opposite  side  of  which  the  Prince  was  seated. 
Middlemas  assisted  the  Begum  to  descend  and  led 
her,  deeply  veiled  with  silver  muslin,  towards  the 
platform  of  marble.  .  .  .  When  Tippoo  Sahib  dis- 
cerned the  splendid  train  of  the  Begum  advancing, 
he  arose  from  his  musnud,  so  as  to  receive  her  near 
the  foot  of  his  throne  and  exchange  greetings  with 
her  upon  the  pleasure  of  meeting  and  inquiries  after 
their  mutual  health. 

This  extraordinary  scene  seems  altogether 
owing  to  Scott's  grand  imagination,  and  could 
hardly  have  occurred  in  real  life.  The  con- 
duct and  position  of  the  European  Madame 
Montreville,  surrounded  by  Indian  Mohamme- 
dans and  unsupported  by  any  European  Govern- 
ment, if  not  an  impossibility,  seem  not  confirmed 
by  any  historical  record.  But  the  utter  con- 
trast between  the  young  Scottish  lovers,  the 
rejected  Hartley  and  the  accepted  Middlemas, 
the  noble  devotion  of  the  former  and  the  almost 

17 


258  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

incredible  baseness  of  the  latter,  evidently 
incline  Scott  to  describe  them  with  steady- 
fidelity  throughout,  as  he  proceeds  : 

...  It  would  be  impossible  to  describe  the  feel- 
ings with  which  Hartley  recognised  the  apostate 
Middlemas  and  the  Amazonian  Mrs.  Montreville. 
The  sight  of  them  worked  up  his  resolution  to 
make  an  appeal  against  them,  in  full  Durbar,  to  the 
justice  which  Tippoo  was  obliged  to  render  to  all 
who  should  complain  of  injuries.  In  the  meanwhile 
the  Prince,  who  had  hitherto  spoken  in  a  low  voice, 
acknowledging,  it  is  to  be  supposed,  the  services  and 
the  fidelity  of  the  Begum,  now  gave  the  sign  to  his 
attendant,  who  said  in  an  elevated  tone  :  "  Wherefore, 
and  to  requite  these  services,  the  mighty  Prince,  at 
the  request  of  the  mighty  Begum  Mootee  Mohul, 
beautiful  as  the  moon  and  wise  as  the  daughter  of 
Giamschid,  had  decreed  to  take  into  his  service  the 
Bukshee  of  her  armies,  and  to  invest  him,  as  one 
worthy  of  all  confidence,  with  the  keeping  of  his 
beloved  capital  of  Bangalore." 

The  voice  of  the  crier  had  scarcely  ceased,  when 
it  was  answered  by  one  as  loud,  which  sounded 
from  the  crowd  of  bystanders  :  "  Cursed  is  he  who 
maketh  the  robber  Leik  his  treasurer,  or  trusteth 
the  lives  of  Moslemah  to  the  command  of  an 
apostate  I " 

With    unutterable    satisfaction,  yet  with   trembling 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  259 

doubt  and  anxiety,  Hartley  traced  the  speech  to  the 
elder  Fakir,  the  companion  of  Barak.  Tippoo  seemed 
not  to  notice  the  interruption,  which  passed  for  that 
of  some  mad  devotee,  to  whom  the  Moslem  princes 
permit  great  freedoms.  The  Durbar,  therefore,  re- 
covered from  their  surprise,  and,  in  answer  to  the 
proclamation,  united  in  the  shout  of  applause  which 
is  expected  to  attend  every  annunciation  of  the  royal 
pleasure. 

Their  acclamation  had  no  sooner  ceased  than 
Middlemas  arose,  bent  himself  before  the  musnud, 
and  in  a  set  speech  declared  his  unworthiness  of 
such  high  honour  as  had  been  conferred,  and  his 
zeal  for  the  Prince's  service.  Something  remained 
to  be  added,  but  his  speech  faltered,  his  limbs  shook, 
and  his  tongue  seemed  to  refuse  its  office. 

Scott,  in  thus  describing  Middlemas's  distress 
of  mind  amid  his  apparent  triumph,  evidently 
indicates  that  this  treacherous  villain  still  has 
some  idea  of  rescuing  his  deceived  victim, 
even  at  the  last  moment.  Yet  his  chances  of 
doing  so  were  slight  indeed.  In  the  cunning, 
jealous  Begum  this  artful  man  had  evidently 
encountered  more  than  his  match,  and  feels 
unable  to  oppose  her  malignant  purpose.  Scott 
proceeds  : 


260  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

The  Begum  started  from  her  seat,  though  con- 
trary to  etiquette,  and  said,  as  if  to  supply  the 
deficiency  in  the  speech  of  her  officer:  "  My  slave 
would  say  that  in  acknowledgment  of  so  great  an 
honour  conferred  on  my  Bukshee,  I  am  so  void  of 
means,  that  I  can  only  pray  your  Highness  will 
deign  to  accept  a  lily  from  Frangistan,  to  plant 
within  the  recesses  of  the  secret  garden  of  thy  plea- 
sures. Let  my  lord's  guards  carry  yonder  litter  to 
the  Zenana." 

A  female  scream  was  heard  as,  at  a  signal  from 
Tippoo,  the  guards  of  his  seraglio  advanced  to 
receive  the  closed  litter  from  the  attendants  of  the 
Begum. 

At  this  terrible  moment  Scott  introduces 
the  unexpected  rescue,  as  if  this  scene  was 
on  the  stage  of  a  theatre  during  an  apparent 
tragedy. 

.  .  .  The  voice  of  the  old  Fakir  was  heard  louder 
and  sterner  than  before :  "  Cursed  is  the  Prince 
who  barters  justice  for  lust !  He  shall  die  in  the 
gate  by  the  sword  of  the  stranger." 

Here  the  novelist  makes  the  Fakir  prophesy 
historic   truth,  as  Tippoo  was  fated  to  be  slain 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  261 

by  the  British,  though  by  a  shot  and  not  by  a 
sword,  at  the  gate  of  his  capital  Seringapatam, 
while  bravely  striving  to  defend  it.1  But  at  this 
moment  Tippoo,  in  apparent  power,  exclaims, 
exasperated  at  the  old  Fakir,  and  never  sus- 
pecting who  he  is  : 

"This  is  too  insolent.  Drag  forward  that  Fakir 
and  cut  his  robe  into  tatters  on  his  back  with  your 
chabouks."  2 

1  The  true  account  of  Tippoo's  death  is  thus 
given  in  a  "  Life  of  Hyder  Ali  and  of  Tippoo 
Sahib/'  presented  in  1859  by  the  late  Prince  Gholam 
Mohammed,  son  of  Tippoo,  to  the  present  writer. 
After  being  wounded,  "  the  fallen  Sultan  was  im- 
mediately raised  by  some  of  his  faithful  adherents 
and  placed  upon  his  palanquin  under  the  arch  in 
one  of  the  recesses  of  the  gateway.  .  .  .  After  a 
short  interval  some  European  soldiers  entered  the 
gateway,  and  one  of  them  attempting  to  take  off 
the  Sultan's  sword-belt,  the  wounded  Prince,  who 
still  held  his  sword  in  his  right  hand,  made  a  cut 
at  the  soldier  and  wounded  him  about  the  knee, 
when  the  latter  instantaneously  fired  his  musket 
and  shot  him  through  the  temple,  which  caused 
immediate  death.  Thus  fell  the  haughty  and  am- 
bitious Sultan." 

2  Long  whips. 


262  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

Scott  now  describes  a  scene  which  is  in- 
deed a  relief  to  his  readers,  and  would 
probably  present  great  dramatic  power  if  pro- 
duced on  the  stage.  In  reply  to  Tippoo's 
savage   order : 

All  who  attempted  to  obey  the  command  of  the 
incensed  despot  fell  back  from  the  Fakir  as  they 
would  from  the  Angel  of  Death.  He  flung  his 
cap  and  fictitious  beard  on  the  ground,  and  the 
incensed  countenance  of  Tippoo  was  subdued  in 
an  instant  when  he  encountered  the  stern  and 
awful  eye  of  his  father.  A  sign  dismissed  him 
from  the  throne,  which  Hyder  himself  ascended, 
while  the  officious  menials  hastened  to  disrobe 
him  of  his  tattered  cloak  and  flung  on  him  a  robe 
of  regal  splendour,  and  placed  on  his  head  a 
jewelled  turban.  The  Durbar  rung  with  acclama- 
tions to  Hyder  AH  Khan  Behauder,  "the  good,  the 
wise,  the  discoverer  of  hidden  things,  who  cometh 
into  the  Divan  like  the  sun  bursting  from  the 
clouds/' 


This  sudden  transformation  Scott  describes, 
of  the  disguised  unknown  Fakir  into  the 
almost  despotic  prince,  may  have  occurred 
perhaps     in     some     Oriental     lands,     but     the 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  263 

novelist  does  not  mention  this  special  case 
as  historical,  merely  introducing  it  in  the  free 
management  of  his  own  story.  He  continues 
in  his  interesting  description  of  the  rescuing 
and    in    this    instance    noble   prince : 

.  .  .  He  looked  majestically  around  him,  and 
at  length  bent  his  look  upon  Tippoo,  whose  down- 
cast eyes,  as  he  stood  before  the  throne  with  his 
arms  folded  on  his  bosom,  were  strongly  contrasted 
with  the  haughty  air  of  authority  which  he  had 
worn  but  a  moment  before.  "  Thou  hast  been 
willing,"  the  Nawaub  said,  "  to  barter  the  safety 
of  thy  capital  for  the  possession  of    a   white  slave." 

Scott  here  makes  the  Mohammedan  ruler, 
Hyder  Ali,  in  partly  excusing  his  son,  quote 
the  Old  Testament  with  the  almost  implicit 
faith  which  many  of  his  religion  show  in  com- 
mon with  Jews  and  Christians  : 

u  But  the  beauty  of  a  fair  woman  caused  Solomon 
ben  David  to  stumble  in  his  path  ;  how  much  more, 
then,  should  the  son  of  Hyder  Naig  remain  firm 
under  temptation  !  That  men  may  see  clearly  we 
must  remove  the  light  which  dazzles  them.  Yonder 
Feringi  woman  must  be  placed  at  my  disposal." 


264  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

"To  hear  is  to  obey/'  replied  Tippoo,  while  the 
deep  gloom  on  his  brow  showed  what  his  forced 
submission  cost  his  proud  and  passionate  spirit. 
.  .  .  The  feelings  of  the  Begum  were  hidden  under 
her  veil,  while,  in  spite  of  a  bold  attempt  to  con- 
ceal his  alarm,  the  perspiration  stood  in  large  drops 
on  the  brow  of  Richard  Middlemas.  The  next 
words  of  the  Nawaub  sounded  like  music  in  the 
ears  of  Hartley. 

"Carry  the  Feringi  woman  to  the  tent  of  the 
Sirdar  Belash  Cassim"  (the  chief  to  whom  Hartley 
had  been  committed).  "  Let  her  be  tended  in  all 
honour.  .  .  .  For  thee,  Tippoo,  I  am  not  come 
hither  to  deprive  thee  of  authority  or  to  disgrace 
thee  before  the  Durbar.  Such  things  as  thou  hast 
promised  to  this  Feringi,  proceed  to  make  them 
good.  The  sun  calleth  not  back  the  splendour 
which  he  lends  to  the  moon,  and  the  father 
obscures  not  the  dignity  which  he  has  conferred 
on  the  son.  What  thou  hast  promised,  that  do 
thou  proceed  to  make  good." 

Scott  then  describes  at  length  Prince  Tippoo 
investing  Middlemas  with  the  government  of 
Bangalore  : 

...  A  horse  was  led  forward  as  the  Prince's 
gift.  It  was  a  fine  steed,  high-crested,  with  broad 
hindquarters  ;    he   was   of   a   white   colour,   but  had 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  265 

the  extremity  of  his  tail  and  mane  stained  red.  .  .  . 
The  horse  was  shown  to  the  applauding  courtiers 
and  withdrawn  in  order  to  be  led  in  state  through 
the  streets,  while  the  new  Killedar  (Middlemas) 
should  follow  on  the  elephant,  another  present 
usual  on  such  occasions,  which  was  next  made  to 
advance,  that  the  world  might  admire  the  munifi- 
cence of  the  Prince. 

Scott's  prose  description  here  of  this 
wonderful  animal  may  well  be  compared  to 
Macaulay's  poetical  one  when  predicting  the 
employment  of  elephants  by  the  Greeks  against 
the  armies  of  Rome.1  Scott's  account  was 
likely  derived  from  informants,  and  not  by 
any  personal  knowledge. 

The  huge  animal  approached  the  platform,  shak- 
ing  his   large,  wrinkled   head,  which   he   raised   and 


1  "  The  Greek  shall  come  against  thee, 
The  conqueror  of  the  East. 
Beside  him  stalks  to  battle 
The  huge  earth-shaking  beast ; 
The  beast  on  whom  the  castle 
With  all  its  guards  doth  stand ; 
The  beast  who  hath  between  his  eyes 
The  serpent  for  a  hand." 
— Macaulay's  "  Lays  of  Ancient  Rome." 


266  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

sunk  as  if  impatient,  and  curling  upwards  his  trunk 
from  time  to  time  as  if  to  show  the  gulf  of  his 
tongueless  mouth.  Gracefully  retiring  with  the 
deepest  obeisance,  the  Killedar,  well  pleased  the 
audience  was  finished,  stood  by  the  neck  of  the 
elephant,  expecting  the  conductor  of  the  animal 
would  make  him  kneel  down  that  he  might  ascend 
the  gilded  howdah  which  awaited  his  occupancy. 

"  Hold,  Feringi,"  said  Hyder.  "  Thou  hast  re- 
ceived all  that  was  promised  thee  by  the  bounty 
of  Tippoo.  Accept  now  what  is  the  fruit  of  the 
justice  of  Hyder." 

As  he  spoke  he  signed  with  his  finger,  and  the 
driver  of  the  elephant  instantly  conveyed  to  the 
animal  the  pleasure  of  the  Nawaub.  Curling  his 
long  trunk  around  the  neck  of  the  ill-fated  Euro- 
pean, the  monster  suddenly  threw  the  wretch  pro- 
strate before  him  and,  stamping  his  huge,  shapeless 
foot  upon  his  breast,  put  an  end  at  once  to  his 
life  and  to  his  crimes.  The  cry  which  the  victim 
uttered  was  mimicked  by  the  roar  of  the  monster 
and  a  sound  like  an  hysterical  laugh  mingling  with 
a  scream  which  rung  from  under  the  veil  of  the 
Begum.  The  elephant  once  more  raised  his  trunk 
aloft  and  gaped  fearfully. 

The  courtiers  preserved  a  profound  silence,  but 
Tippoo,  upon  whose  muslin  robe  a  part  of  the 
victim's  blood  had  spurted,  held  it  up  to  the  Nawaub, 
exclaiming  in  a  sorrowful  tone,  "  Father,  father,  was 
it  thus  my  promise  should  have  been  kept  ?  " 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  267 

"Know,  foolish  boy/'  said  Hyder  Ali,  "that  the 
carrion  which  lies  there  was  in  a  plot  to  deliver 
Bangalore  up  to  the  Feringis.  .  .  .  This  Begum" 
(she  started  when  she  heard  herself  named)  "has 
given  us  warning  of  the  plot,  and  has  so  merited 
her  pardon  for  having  originally  concurred  in  it 
— whether  altogether  out  of  love  to  us  we  will 
not  too  curiously  inquire.  Hence  with  that  lump 
of  bloody  clay,  and  let  the  Hakim  Hartley  come 
before  me." 

"  Hakim,"  said  Hyder,  "  thou  shalt  return  with  the 
Feringi  woman  and  with  gold  to  compensate  her 
injuries,  wherein  the  Begum,  as  is  fitting,  shall  con- 
tribute a  share.  Do  thou  say  to  thy  nation,  Hyder 
Ali  acts  justly."1 


1  The  following  account  of  this  Prince  appears  in 
his  "Life,"  "revised  and  corrected  by  his  grandson, 
the  late  Prince  Gholam  Mohammed  "  :  "  He  (Hyder 
Ali)  administered  justice  with  impartiality,  and  gave 
great  encouragement  to  agriculture  and  to  commerce. 
He  was  indulgent  to  his  subjects,  but  strict  in  the 
discipline  of  his  army,  severe  in  punishing  offenders, 
and  cruel  to  his  enemies.  .  .  .  He  did  not  like  great 
talkers  ;  the  subject  of  conversation  in  his  assemblies 
was  generally  relative  to  the  order  and  regulation  of 
kingdoms  and  empires  or  to  swords,  muskets,  jewels, 
horses,  elephants,  or  invigorating  medicines.  His 
understanding  was  wonderful.  .  .  .  He  was  the  enemy 
of  the  indolent  and  luxurious,  and  the  backs  of  his 


268  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

With  these  acts  of  combined  justice  and 
generosity  on  the  part  of  Hyder  Ali,  Scott  ends 
this  story.  The  rescued  heroine,  Menie  Gray, 
returns  to  Europe,  but  with  health  shattered 
by  the  terrible  trials  of  her  life,  and  she  never 
marries.  The  wicked  Begum's  fate  is  thus 
merely  indicated  : 

Her  forts  and  governments  were  taken  into 
Hyder's  custody,  and  report  said  that  her  power 
being  abolished  and  her  consequence  lost,  she  died 
by  poison,  either  taken  by  herself  or  administered 
by  some  other  person. 

Hartley,  the  noble  young  hero  of  this  story, 
dies 

a  victim  to  his  professional  courage  in  withstanding 
the  progress  of  a  contagious  distemper,  which  he  at 
length  caught  and  under  which  he  sunk. 

Menie's  subsequent  life  Scott  thus  simply  and 
beautifully  describes  : 

negligent  and  extortionate  subjects  were  frequently 
softened  by  stripes  of  the  whip." — "  Life  of  Hyder 
Ali,"  p.  259. 


The  Surgeon's  Daughter  269 

She  returned  to  Britain,  and  settling  in  her  native 
village,  appeared  to  find  her  only  pleasure  in  acts 
of  benevolence,  which  seemed  to  exceed  the  extent 
of  her  fortune,  had  not  her  very  retired  life  been 
taken  into  consideration. 


This  story,  though  partly  founded  on  fact — 
as  stated  in  the  Preface — introduces  the  Indian 
princes  Hyder  and  Tippoo  according  to  Scott's 
fancy.  There  is  no  wit  or  merriment  in  it  from 
beginning  to  end.  Unlike  nearly  all  Scott's 
novels,  there  are  no  comic  scenes  or  charac- 
ters. All  is  grave,  sombre,  and  tragic,  with 
occasional  brilliant,  picturesque  descriptions  of 
Indian  places  and  ceremonies.  Yet  enough 
of  Scott's  genius  is  indicated  in  this  short, 
singular  novel  to  show  what  a  splendid  romance 
about  India  he  could  have  given  to  the  world 
had  he  ever  visited  that  interesting  and  extra- 
ordinary country  —  one,  indeed,  which  now 
seems  destined  to  become  more  and  more  con- 
nected with  European  affairs  and  politics. 

In  this  pathetic  novel  Scott  introduces  few 
Indian  characters — the  Mohammedan  princes 
Hyder  Ali  and  Tippoo,  Hartley's  friend  Barak, 


270  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

and  only  one  Hindoo,  the  crafty  Paupiah. 
Thus 

the  glorious  and  unbounded  subjects  J 

of  Indian  history  and  character  which  Scott 
avowedly  likes  and  admires  he  yet  avoids  fully 
describing,  for  the  excellent  reason  he  states, 
of  knowing 

nothing  at  all  about  them.2 

He  therefore  wisely  devoted  his  chief  energies 
to  the  subjects  of  British  and  occasion- 
ally French  history  and  characters,  about 
which  his  admirable  novels  have  surely  never 
been  surpassed  or  even  equalled  both  for  their 
historic   interest   and  moral   value. 

1  Preface  to  "  The  Surgeon's  Daughter." 

2  Ibid. 


CONCLUDING   REMARKS 


CHAPTER   IX 

CONCLUDING  REMARKS 

'  T  is  remarkable  that  Scott  in  all  his  novels, 
•*■  even  in  those  relating  to  British  history, 
never  introduces  Irish  characters  or  incidents. 
This  is  to  be  sincerely  regretted,  as  Ireland  has 
been  so  often  misrepresented  even  by  honest 
writers,  through  political  or  religious  prejudices, 
that  Scott's  views  and  opinions  about  it  would 
have  been  equally  valuable  and  interesting. 

From  a  comparison  of  the  different  heroes  of 
these  novels,  Scott  apparently  prefers  the  British 
character  to  any  other.  While  introducing 
Frenchmen,  Jews,  Saracens,  and  gipsies,  his 
heroes  are  usually  brave,  intelligent  young  Eng- 
lish or  Scottish  men,  rarely  enthusiastic,  and 
generally  of  very  moderate  views  in  both  politics 

and  religion. 

1 8  273 


274  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

Waverley,  Bertram,  Morton,  Ravenswood, 
Osbaldistone,  Tressilian,  Nigel,  and  Everard 
alike  possess  much  the  same  steady  good  sense 
and  freedom  from  prejudice  which  are  so  gene- 
rally found  in  the  British  character. 

One  important  characteristic  in  some  of  the 
novels  is  the  remarkable  familiarity  and  sym- 
pathy between  the  higher  and  lower  classes, 
masters  and  servants,  mistresses  and  maids,  land- 
lords and  tenants.  This  is  especially  noticeable 
in  "  The  Antiquary,"  "  Guy  Mannering,"  and 
"  The  Heart  of  Midlothian."  Yet  this  familiarity 
is  certainly  far  from  the  kind  that  is  said  to 
"  breed  contempt,"  being  the  natural  and  proper 
sympathy  between  classes  and  persons  depend- 
ing on  each  other  for  their  mutual  comfort  and 
advantage.  Such  has  always  been  the  feeling 
with  which  prudent  governments  and  legislators 
have  wished  these  classes  to  view  each  other, 
and  to  thus  avoid  tyranny  on  the  one  side  and 
sycophancy  on  the  other.  The  strong  objections 
which  some  people  feel  against  all  novels  and 
romances,  as  likely  to  distract  and  unfit  the 
mind  for  its  inevitable  conflict  with  the  realities 


Concluding  Remarks  275 

of  life,  may  be  urged  with  plausibility,  if  not 
truth,  against  some  novels  which  indeed  charm 
the  imagination,  yet  may  leave  their  readers  less 
wise  and  more  bewildered  by  their  fanciful 
representations  than  before  perusal.  But  such 
objections  can  never  be  maintained,  and  indeed 
have  been  seldom  urged,  against  the  instructive 
works  of  Sir  Walter  Scott. 

Another  remarkable  feature  in  these  novels  is 
that,  while  Scott  firmly  condemns  bigotry  and 
prejudice,  he  is  so  completely  free  from  both 
himself  that  he  often  describes  people  who, 
though  bigoted  and  prejudiced,  are  yet  estimable 
and  sensible  at  the  same  time  in  many  respects. 
For  a  man  to  thus  respect  and  to  some  extent 
vindicate  the  motives  of  opponents  is  a  decisive 
proof  of  thorough  honesty  and  calm  wisdom. 
Scott  well  knew  that  some  prejudiced,  unreason- 
able men,  whose  stern  bigotry  induced  them  to 
commit  or  sanction  cruelty,  by  no  means  de- 
served the  personal  detestation  which  apparently 
their  conduct  merited.  He  carefully  considers 
the  circumstances  in  which  they  were  placed,  the 
opportunities  they  had  of  knowing  better,  and  he 


276  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

no  less  carefully  examines  and  estimates  the 
secret  motives  by  which  they  were  actuated. 

Of  all  Scott's  novels,  "  Old  Mortality"  is 
perhaps  the  most  valuable  from  a  historical  point 
of  view.  In  this  story  there  are  two  rival  heroes, 
Lord  Evandale  and  Henry  Morton,  opposing 
each  other  in  politics  as  well  as  in  love.  Each 
saves  the  other's  life  and  each  is  blamed  for 
doing  so  by  their  respective  leaders,  Claverhouse 
and  Balfour  of  Burley,  who  resemble  each  other 
in  the  most  relentless  intolerance. 

Some  able  writers  can  hardly  describe  reli- 
gious bigotry  or  political  prejudices  without 
revealing  a  tincture  of  the  same  feelings  them- 
selves ;  they  are  naturally  and  reasonably  indig- 
nant at  the  evils  which  these  errors  have  caused, 
and  seldom  make  sufficient  allowance  for  those 
who  have  been  influenced  by  them.  Hence  the 
historical  student  is  often  perplexed  and  as- 
tonished to  find  people  so  apparently  inconsis- 
tent— enlightened,  wise,  and  merciful,  and  yet 
capable  of  both  stupid  bigotry  and  relentless 
cruelty.  Scott,  especially  in  the  historical  novels, 
explains  such  inconsistency  with  remarkable  clear- 


Concluding  Remarks  277 

ness.  He  usually  makes  his  heroes  intelligent 
young  men,  generally  as  enlightened  as  him- 
self, while  surrounding  them  with  friends  and 
enemies,  whose  religious  or  political  fanaticism 
he  then  contrasts  with  the  good  sense  and  just 
views  of  the  imaginary  heroes.  The  opinions 
and  even  actions  of  such  fanatics  are  indeed 
often  odious  and  wicked,  yet  there  may  be  some- 
thing to  admire  in  many  of  these  men.  But  it  is 
by  the  agency  of  their  political  or  religious  intole- 
rance that  so  much  misery  and  suffering  have 
been  entailed  on  mankind,  especially  in  medi- 
aeval or  in  comparatively  modern  history.  The 
crimes  of  the  thoroughly  unscrupulous,  destitute 
of  all  principle  or  right  feeling,  have  hardly 
caused  the  same  amount  of  evil  as  the  relentless 
fanaticism  of  religious  or  political  enthusiasts,  as 
ready  to  endure  as  to  inflict  persecuting  cruelty, 
yet  whose  sincerity,  when  allied  with  courage 
and  ability,  is  sure  to  command  influence 
and  respect  among  many  people,  as  history 
proves. 

To  examine  and  explain  the  conduct  of  such 
persons  was  evidently  one  of  the  chief  objects 


278  Sir  Walter  Scott  Studied 

of  Scott's  novels,  to  which  he  steadily  devoted 
the  great  powers  of  his  philosophical  mind,  with 
a  success  now  generally  acknowledged  by  an 
educated  and  enlightened  posterity. 


UNWIN  BROTHERS,  LIMITED,  THE  GRESHAM  PRESS,  WOKING  AND  LONDON. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 
BERKELEY 

Return  to  desk  from  which  borrowed. 
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